Box Score

RENO, Nev. -

Nevada 3, Utah State 2

Utah State softball closed a three-game series at Nevada Sunday, falling 3-2 in the sole loss of the weekend.

Junior Noelle Johnson had another strong day in the circle, pitching the complete six innings. She allowed six hits with the three runs, while striking out six batters and walking another two. Hits were limited for the Aggie offense, with the five split between five batters. Defensively, freshman catcher Brina Buttacaovoli led the team with eight putouts behind the plate.

"While we're disappointed in the final score, I'm proud of the fight we put up at the end and the way we came out defensively from the start," said USU head coach Steve Johnson. "We had a much better Sunday than last week and that's what we've got to keep building on."

With the loss, Utah State falls to 11-21 overall with a 3-3 Mountain West record. Nevada improves to an even 11-21 on the season, while sitting at 1-2 in league action.

After the fast paced scoring of the previous games of the series, Sunday's game slowed down with all the runs of the game scored in the first and final innings. Nevada was first on the board with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, allowing batters to cross the plate on two left field singles.

It took time for Utah State to find a significant offensive stride. Senior outfielder Hailey Froton drew a walk in the first inning, but the Aggies were retired in order throughout the next four at bats. In the meantime, Johnson held the Wolf Pack tight, going 1-2-3 for four-straight innings.

In the top of the sixth, senior outfielder Amburlyn Orzoco earned the first hit of the day for the Aggies, singling to third base. Junior outfielder Sarah Chow followed with a bunt, while senior shortstop Jolene Koons followed with a sac bunt to advance the pair of runners. However, the next two USU batters were out, ending the Aggies' half of the inning. Nevada then added another run in the bottom of the inning, increasing its lead to 3-0.

Utah State opened the seventh inning on a high note as sophomore designated player Alleyah Armendariz singled to second. A double from sophomore second baseman Victoria Saucedo followed, while Johnson walked. With the bases loaded, Buttacavoli singled to left field to push Armendariz across the plate. Saucedo later scored when Chow reached first on a fielder's choice. The bases were once again loaded with prime opportunity for the Aggies to tied the score, but a line drive to third base from Froton ended the game in favor of the Wolf Pack.

The Aggies continue a busy week on Tuesday, March 31 when they host in-state rival BYU at 4 p.m. After a day off, Utah State will open a home series against UNLV, playing Thursday, April 2 through Saturday, April 4 with games at 3 p.m. on Thursday, 3 p.m. on Friday and Noon on Saturday.

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.