Box Score

Hawai'i 11, Utah State 10

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - After leading the entire game, a walk-off home run ended Utah State softball's Wilson/DeMarini Desert Classic opener against Hawai'i in an 11-10 loss Friday.

The Aggies scored a season-high in the loss, led by home runs from sophomore designated player Alleyah Armendariz and senior third baseman Nicole Arata. Armendariz ended the day with two homers and four RBI, while Arata and pinch hitter Libby Pederson added another four runs.

With the loss Utah State falls to 0-5 on the year, while Hawai'i improves to 3-4.

"This was a hard loss to take," said USU head coach Steve Johnson. "We played well enough offensively to win. Any time we score 10 runs against a team as strong as Hawai'i, we need to win."

The Aggies opened the game on a high note as Armendariz homered in her first at bat in the top of the first inning. Armendariz's hit drove in junior catcher Kirstyn Namba and senior first baseman Hailey Froton for an early 3-0 lead. USU held Hawai'i scoreless in its half of the inning.

Utah State struck again in the second, when Arata hit a single, advancing to second on a passed ball and taking third on senior outfielder Amburlyn Orozco's grounder. A single from senior shortstop Jolene Koons brought Arata home for the score. The Rainbow Wahine again failed to capitalize on their attempt, when a double play from sophomore second baseman Victoria Saucedo ended the inning.

The third inning brought another home run for Armendariz, her fourth of the season. Junior pitcher Noelle Johnson walked, forcing a pitching change from Hawai'i. Arata followed with a homer of her own, bringing Johnson in as well, giving the Aggies a 7-0 advantage. Hawai'i got on the board in the bottom of the third when Lindsey Willmon hit a home run to bring in another player.

The USU offense slowed for the next inning, while the Rainbow Wahine added another four runs. A single from Willmon brought in two additional runners, followed by another home run, bringing Willmon into the plate, cutting the Aggies' lead to 7-6.

Utah State's final three runs all came in the fifth inning. Koons singled up the middle, advancing on the throw and driving Noelle Johnson home. In to pinch hit, Pederson doubled to drive in Koons and Orozco. Hawi'i added another two runs in the bottom of the fifth. A couple of balls hit to center field drove in runners to put the score at 10-8.

"Alleyah, Jo, Hailey and Nicole had big days at the plate and Libby came off the bench to deliver in a clutch situation," Johnson said. "We had several big plays on the infield, including two big ones by Vic in the first to shut down a potential rally."

Froton was the sole Aggie to get on base in the sixth, sandwiched between Saucedo and Johnson's outs. A strikeout from Arata ended the USU half. Hawai'i opened its half of the sixth inning with an early out, as Orozco caught a deep fly in left field. The Wahine earned two walks next, followed by a single to right field, bringing in Rachel Lack. USU was held scoreless in the seventh, but put out two quick batters. A Willmon triple was followed by a home run from Kayla Wartner, ending the game.

"The biggest area of concern right now is in the circle. In four of our five games this season, we haven't been able to hold a lead or just shut a team down when we need to," Johnson said. "We cant pitch scared whether we have a one-run lead or a seven-run lead. We have to be mentally tougher and execute our pitches when the pressure is on."

Tournament action continues Saturday, when the Aggies play No. 12 UCLA and Long Beach State. First pitch against the Bruins is set for 12:15 p.m. (MT), followed by a 2:30 p.m. (MT) matchup against the 49ers.

Fans can follow the Aggie softball program on Twitter, @USUSoftball, on Facebook at facebook.com/USUSoftball or on Instagram, @ususoftball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at facebook.com/USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.