Las Vegas — Kansas University's softball team got off to a strong start in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic, beating Oregon, 6-1, and Portland State, 3-2, in first-day action Friday.

Kansas improved to 7-1 on the season.

The Jayhawks were carried by the pitching of Sarah Vertelka in the opening game against Oregon. The sophomore scattered just three hits in seven innings of work, striking out six. She improved to 4-0 on the season.

Betsy Wilson slugged a home run to help the offense, which featured Kansas scoring in five different innings.

KU jumped to a 3-0 lead against Portland State thanks to home runs by Ally Stanton and Brittany Hile. Portland State tried to come back late, but Allie Clark pitched out of the jam and earned the save.

Kansas continues tournament play at 11 a.m. today against BYU.