Feb. 18, 2001

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Utah State's softball team took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, but allowed New Mexico to score two runs as the Aggies fell 5-4 in its final game at the San Diego State-hosted Campbell/Cartier Classic here on Sunday. USU finished the tournament with a 1-4 record and is now 3-7 on the season.

Utah State was the first to put a mark on the scoreboard as Stephanie Vasarhely plated Marnie Andrews, who was pinch-running for Christina Conrad, who opened the third-inning with a single.

USU carried that 1-0 lead into the fifth inning, but allowed New Mexico to strike for three runs. USU rallied in the top half of the sixth to score three runs of its own to regain the lead at 4-3.

Vasarhely reached on an error and Breane Nickle walked to open the inning before an Aggie recorded an out. Casey Smith doubled to right field to score Vasarhely and then Jenn Hopkins' single scored Nickle Conrad then scored Smith on a sacrifice fly to cap USU's scoring.

However, New Mexico quickly got to freshman pitcher Lisa Spencer, who was on in relief of Xochitl Ramirez. The Lobos scored on a double and error by Danielle Rodriguez and then got the go-ahead run on a double steal.

USU had an opportunity in the top of the seventh as Vasarhely and Nickle both walked with two outs. Kristin Hommel pinch hit, but struck out looking to end the game.

In its other tournament games USU defeated Iowa State 5-1 before losing to Northwestern 5-0 on Friday and losing to Ohio State 8-0 and Stanford 12-0 on Saturday and falling 5-4 to New Mexico on Sunday.

After back-to-back weekend tournaments, USU will not play again until traveling to St. George, Utah for a tournament hosted by Utah, March 2-4.

NEW MEXICO 5, UTAH STATE 4

Utah State 001 003 0 - 4 5 1

New Mexico 000 032 x - 5 6 2

Ramirez, Spencer (5) and Nickle. Punter, Dumas (6) and Chambers. W - Dumas (1-1). L - Spencer (3-3). LOB - USU 7, UNM 7.