Box Score

UCLA 12, Utah State 4

Long Beach State 11, Utah State 3

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Utah State softball suffered another pair of losses Saturday in a doubleheader at the Wilson/DeMarini Desert Classic. The Aggies fell to 12th-ranked UCLA, 12-4, and Long Beach State in a five-inning game, 11-3, in Las Vegas, Nev.

With the loss Utah State is falls to 0-7 on the year. UCLA improves to 7-2, while Long Beach State moves to 6-3.

Saturday's first game opened slow for both teams as the Aggie defense held strong against the Bruins. It wasn't until the fourth inning that UCLA showed its power, scoring nine-straight runs. Four singles, three doubles, a triple and a pair of walks all added up to set the Bruin offense on its hot streak. The top of the inning finally ended when senior shortstop Jolene Koons caught a runner stealing second.

Despite two early outs, the Aggies answered UCLA with their own three-run inning in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore second baseman Victoria Saucedo hit the first home run of the day, bringing in Koons and senior outfielder Sarah Chow.

The Bruins added another pair of runs in the fifth, capitalizing on a single up the middle. As the first batter up in the USU half, sophomore pitcher/first baseman Alleyah Aremendariz added a home run for the Aggies, but the next three batters each got out.

The seventh inning was the final dagger on the game when UCLA added its 12th run of the day off a single down the left side.

Armendariz pitched the first half of the game, relieved by junior Noelle Johnson. The duo allowed 16 hits on the day, walking six batters and striking out two.

The later game against Long Beach State opened in better favor for the Aggies, but the control didn't last long. USU got on the board in the first inning when a sacrificial fly from senior first baseman Hailey Froton brought Koons across the plate. With freshman Jordyn McCracken in the circle, the Aggies held the 49ers scoreless in the bottom of the first. USU had the same result in the second as McCracken added back-to-back strikeouts, stranding two Long Beach State runners to end the inning.

Froton added another RBI in the third, when a double advanced Chow across the plate. In the bottom of the second, a Long Beach State bunt loaded the bases, allowing a run on the next batter. Up next, a double dropped into left field bringing in an additional two runs and knotting the score at three. With only one out, a 49ers grand slam put the team up 7-3 and ended McCracken's day at pitcher.

The Aggies' half of the fourth inning was a quick one without any change on the scoreboard. Long Beach State however, added an eighth run on a single. The fifth inning was another 1-2-3 for USU, while the 49ers added another three, ending the game on a mercy ruling.

Tournament action concludes Sunday with another doubleheader. The Aggies will play Indiana at 10 a.m. (MT), followed by a 12:15 p.m. (MT) matchup against Cal State Northridge.

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.