March 22, 2008

Box Score

RENO, Nev. - Utah State softball wrapped up its first three-game Western Athletic Conference series with a 7-2 loss at Nevada on Saturday afternoon in Reno, Nev., at UNR's Christina M. Hixon Park.

The Aggies lost their ninth-straight in falling to 3-17 on the season and 0-3 in the WAC, while the Wolf Pack picked up their third-consecutive win and fifth in last six games to improve to 23-11 overall and 3-0 in the league.

Nevada took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second to start out the game before USU had a chance to tie it up in the third as sophomore center fielder Emily Reilly smacked a hard hit shot to right center for a triple with only one out. However, Reilly was left out to dry after junior left fielder Mikey Price and freshman shortstop Kelley Kaneshiro both struck out swinging.

Wolf Pack first baseman Kelsey Starr smacked a grand slam over the left field fence and UNR pushed its lead to 5-0 after three innings. Nevada racked up two more runs in the home half of the fourth.

The Aggies cut into the lead with two runs in the top of the fifth for the final score. Sophomore catcher Simone Hubbard led off the inning with a single to short and classmate second baseman Nicole Rupp walked. Two batters later Kaneshiro redeemed herself by driving the ball to center for a double, scoring both freshman pinch runner Jessica Law and Rupp.

Utah State was led by Reilly's 3-for-4 effort at the plate with two singles and a triple.

Nevada pitcher Jordan McPherson earned the win after four complete innings, striking out two while allowing only two hits and evened her record at 8-8. USU junior pitcher Lindsey Benson falls to 3-12 after walking four in 2.1 innings.

USU continues action the road with a doubleheader at Orem, Utah against in-state rival Utah Valley on Tuesday, March 29. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. (MT).

After opening the season with 22 games on the road, the Aggies have their home-opnener on Wednesday, March 26 with a doubleheader against in-state foe Utah, starting at 2 p.m. (MT) at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field. Admission to all home USU softball games is free to the public.