PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — The Eastern Kentucky University softball team fell, 9-1, to Long Beach State in five innings on the last day of the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

The teams met earlier in the week, with Long Beach State also earning an 8-2 victory over the Colonels. With the loss, EKU fell to 2-3 on the weekend and 4-6 overall this season.

Freshman Nina Sepulveda led Long Beach State, going 2-for-2 with six RBIs and her first collegiate home run.

Long Beach State broke the game open in the bottom of the second inning with a two-out rally. After EKU recorded back-to-back strikeouts, the Beach loaded the bases with three consecutive walks. Sepulveda then hit a grand slam to left, giving Long Beach State control of the game.

Long Beach State added four runs in the third. A leadoff walk and an RBI double brought in the first run of the inning. The Beach capitalized on a throwing error and an RBI single before Sepulveda capped the inning with a two-run single.

Audree Mendoza doubled to center in the fourth, driving in Avery Weisbrook to extend the Beach's lead.

EKU scored its lone run in the fifth when Kennedy Drafton singled through the left side.

The game ended after five innings due to the run rule.

Jaelin Haynes and Drafton were named to the all-tournament team following the game.

Next up

EKU will travel to Statesboro, Georgia, to compete in the GATA Challenge from Feb. 20-22. The Colonels open tournament play against Rhode Island on Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.