April 13, 2011

Box Score | Photo Gallery

LOGAN, Utah - - Despite scoring a run in the first inning, the Utah State softball team fell to border-rival Idaho State, 6-1, at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Softball Field on Wednesday.

With the loss, Utah State falls to 7-34 overall and is 2-7 in the Western Athletic Conference. Idaho State is now 7-23 overall. The Bengals are now 2-0 against the Aggies this season after defeating USU, 10-2, in Tucson, Ariz. on March 5. USU is now 0-4 at home this season.

In the first inning, Utah State took its only lead of the game when freshman utility player Kassy Uchida smacked a home run to straight center to put Utah State up 1-0. Despite senior outfielder Megan McDonald reaching on an error and single by junior second baseman Lindsey Marquez, Idaho State starting pitcher Kandis Clesson got out of the inning with no more harm done.

The Bengals responded in the top of the third inning with a long ball of their own. Ashley Moeller reached on a bunt single and eventually stole second. With one out in the inning, Brittany Olsin homered to right center to put Idaho State up 2-1.

Idaho State added a quartet of runs in the top of the sixth inning to pull away from Utah State, 6-1. Sophomore pitcher Mandy Harmon, who replaced starting pitcher sophomore Shelbi Tyteca in the third inning, hit Amanda Fitzsimmons. Courtney Dial followed with a single. Pinch hitter Courtney Hancock singled to score Fitzsimmons and moved to second on an error by centerfielder Joreigh Landers. Desiree Hoffman came up big for ISU with a three-run home run to right center to put ISU up 6-1.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Utah State made one final push. With one out in the inning, frehsman pinch hitter Krista Bava reached on a walk. With two outs, freshman Christina Cummings added a pinch hit single and moved to second on the throw to put runners on second and third. Utah State was close to scoring when sophomore catcher Tina Ferguson flied out to deep center to end the game.

Tyteca took the loss and fell to 2-9 this season. Clesson improved to 6-14 with the win.

USU was led by Uchida who went 2-for-4 in the game with one run scored and one RBI. Four more Aggies added hits in the game.

The Aggies will now prepare for a three-game WAC series against first-place Boise State. The teams will play a single game on Friday, April 13 at 3 p.m. and conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m. Utah State will then travel to Idaho State on Wednesday, April 20. Over Easter weekend, the Aggies will host Fresno State in a three-game WAC series April 22-23.

Fans can follow USU softball on Twitter and Utah State Athletics at http://twitter.com/USUAthletics.