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LOGAN, Utah -

BYU 13, Utah State 2

In the first of four games on the week, Utah State softball opened its homestand Tuesday, falling 13-2 to in-state opponent BYU.

Junior outfielder Sarah Chow had another strong day at the plate for the Aggies, batting 2-of-3, while hitting in both of the team's runs of the day. Sophomore first baseman Paxton Provost led defensively with five putouts. Sophomore Alleyah Armendariz opened the day in the circle, pitching 3.1 innings before being relieved by freshman Jordyn McCracken. The pair allowed 13 hits while walking six and earning just one strikeout.

"Whether its conscious or unconscious, we don't play the same behind these two pitchers as we do with Noelle (Johnson). We don't hit the same, we don't field the same or take the same approach to the game," said USU head coach Steve Johnson. "No matter who is on the mound, we have to show some fight and step up. That's what we've talked about all year is that consistency, regardless of who the opponent is."

With the loss, Utah State falls to 11-22 overall with a 3-3 Mountain West record. BYU improves to 22-8 in its final game before opening conference action.

The Cougars got off to an early start, scoring their first run in the first at bat. Freshman Gordy Bravo was able capitalize on an Aggie error at the plate, putting BYU on the board. However, Utah State was then able to end the inning on the next batter in a double play between senior shortstop Jolene Koons and Provost.

Utah State went 1-2-3 in its first two trips to the plate, while BYU added five additional runs between the second and third innings. A single down the left side got Lacey Hofstedt on base, while she was able to advance on the throw and push two runners home. Later, a Bravo double added another run, while she scored on an additional single. The Cougars continued to extend their unanswered streak in the third when Hofstedt was hit by a pitch.

Utah State erased the shutout in the bottom of the third. Senior third baseman Nicole Arata got on base after she was hit by a pitch and advanced to second with the help of freshman catcher Brina Buttacavoli. Chow then singled to left field, giving Arata time to run home.

The fourth inning started in USU's favor as Armendariz found her first strikeout with two runners on base. However, Sydney Broderick came up to bat, hitting the first home run of the day and bringing in both runners. At that point, the Aggies rearranged the majority of the field positions, reliving all but two starters with a fresh group of players. After McCracken opened her time in the circle with a walk and a single, Hofstedt hit a two-run single up the middle to continue the BYU hot streak. The Cougars made it through their entire batting order that inning before the Aggies ended it on a ground out to the mound.

"We didn't have any fire. We had ground ball after ground ball that we weren't getting to. That starting group didn't have any energy," Johnson said. "We have a great group of kids sitting on the bench. They sit and cheer for these guys every day, so I thought they deserved a chance. A couple of them came up and made some plays and put some runs across."

The new group of USU players carried over to the offensive side of the ball, where senior outfielder Hailey Froton managed another hit for the team. Junior first baseman Libby Pederson and sophomore catcher Kendsey Hill both got a piece of the ball on their at bats, but were called out. The Cougars were also able to turn Hill's ball into a double play, ending the inning. BYU then added yet another pair of runs in the top of the fifth, when McKenzie St. Clair homered to right field.

Not ready to call it quits, Utah State had an active fifth inning. Freshman third baseman Colby Argyle made her first-career appearance, earning a walk. Senior outfielder Amburlyn Orozco singled through the left side to get on base, while she and Argyle were both able to advance on an error at first base. Another Chow single pushed Argyle to the plate for the score. Sophomore second baseman Devin Montgomery was next, but a ground out to the shortstop ended the game.

Utah State continues its homestand in a three-game series against UNLV this weekend. The Aggies host the Rebels at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 and Friday, April 3, while first pitch will be at 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.

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.