The Washington softball team got its season underway this weekend, winning two games at the Sportco Spring Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.

“It was a really good weekend to get to see where our team is at,” UW coach Heather Tarr said. “There were lots of first time starters that got some opportunities to make an impact.”

The Huskies (2-1-1) came away with two wins Friday, topping Loyola Chicago 3-0 before cruising to an 8-1 win over Texas Tech.

Caitlin Noble went the distance against Loyola in the circle, surrendering just six hits while striking out 10 batters. She also tossed a complete game against TTU, allowing just one earned run on six hits to go along with six strikeouts.

The Huskies didn’t manage a whole lot of offense against Loyola. UW notched just three hits, but Ramblers pitcher Amy Solava walked seven batters to aid Washington’s cause.

Against the Red Raiders, it was a different story. Lauren Greer blasted a three-run homer in the first inning, setting the tone for what would be a huge day for the Huskies at the plate. Washington tallied 13 hits total, using big games from Bailey Stenson (3-for-4, RBI) and Noble, who helped her own cause with two hits.

“Bailey hit the ball very well,” Tarr said.

Saturday’s games brought less success for the Dawgs. UNLV handed UW its first loss of the season with a 7-4 triumph, then the Canadian National team topped the Huskies 7-3 in an exhibition matchup, though the loss will not count against UW in its official win-loss record, since it was not against an NCAA opponent.

Washington pitcher Danielle Lawrie, who is redshirting this season to compete for the Canadian National team in the 2008 Olympics, did not make an appearance in the game.

Saturday’s loss to UNLV wasn’t for lack of offense. Led by an impressive 3-for-4 performance from left fielder Marnie Koziol, the Huskies pounded out 10 hits — but the seven runners they stranded proved to be their undoing.

Freshman Aleah Macon was tagged with the loss in her collegiate debut, allowing six earned runs and five hits in six innings while walking five.

Sunday proved to be a much longer day than expected. Awaiting an evening flight, the Huskies’ game against UNLV got off to a late start — about an hour and a half after its originally scheduled time. The game’s first pitch was not until 4:30p.m..

So with the game tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the game was called a tie due to a prearranged 6:20 p.m. drop-dead time limit — Washington needed to catch a flight home, after all.

Greer and Noble each had two hits for the Huskies. Only one of UW’s runs was earned — three errors by the Rebels accounted for the other three.

Noble again went the distance for Washington, allowing three earned runs on five hits to go along with eight strikeouts.

“Defensively we have some work to do, as far as just catching and throwing the ball,” Tarr said.

The Huskies will be in action again next weekend as they head to Tempe, Ariz., for the Kajikawa Classic Feb. 15 to 17.

[Reach reporter Christian Caple at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.]