TEMPE, Ariz. — Georgia softball got its 2018 off to a fast start Thursday afternoon, scoring 12 runs in the first inning of its first game at the Kijikawa Classic en route to a 23-2 victory over San Diego State.

The No. 25-ranked Bulldogs blasted four home runs in tying a school record with the 23 runs in the five inning affair.

“They’ve been working so hard, and I’m proud of their patience at the plate today, they let the ball come to them,” Georgia coach Lu Harris-Champer said. “I just wish we could have saved some of those runs for the second game.”

Indeed, No. 3 Oregon beat the Bulldogs Thursday night at Farrington Stadium by an 8-3 count.

Georgia loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning but managed just one run before the Ducks retired the final out.

“Their pitcher was very good, she was able to move the ball down and up,” Harris-Champer said. “Once we settled in and starting seeing the ball, it got a bit easier.”

Bulldogs senior Kendall Burton was 6-for-7 on the day with a home run and three runs scored.

Georgia continues play Friday with games against No. 15 Utah and No. 19 BYU.