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LOGAN, Utah -

UNLV 14, Utah State 12

Despite an explosion of runs on the offensive side of the game, the pieces didn't quite come together for Utah State softball in game two of the UNLV series Friday, as the Aggies fell, 14-12, to the Rebels.

Senior outfielder Hailey Froton continued her strong weekend for the Aggies as she hit the cycle for the first time in her career, going 4-for-5 at the plate. Froton hit a triple in her first at bat in the bottom of the first, adding a home run in the second, a single in the third an a double in the seventh. She scored three runs, while tallying five RBI to match her career-high.

Utah State utilized all four pitchers in Friday's game, where freshman Paige Mills made her first-career start. Mills was relieved by sophomore Alleyah Armendariz in the second inning, but she was then replaced by freshman Jordyn McCracken. After just three batters, where she allowed three hits, McCracken was replaced by junior Noelle Johnson who closed out the game.

"When you score 12 runs and have 16 hits in a conference game, you need to win. The disappointment today was in both the pitching and the sticks. When their second pitcher came in, we didn't make the adjustments right away. We have to do a better job of that, this is a hard loss to take," said USU head coach Steve Johnson. "When we have a lead, we need to have the mentality to shut people down and right now, we just don't."

Utah State falls to 12-23 overall and 4-4 in Mountain West play with the loss, while UNLV improves to 16-20 overall and 2-6 in league action.

The bats were hot early on for both teams. The Rebels opened the game with the first run of the day when Garie Blando, the defending Mountain West Player of the Year, scored on a double from Emily Halsinger.

UNLV's lead didn't last long, as the Aggies added five runs in the bottom of the inning. With two runners on base, Froton made her first big play of the game, tripling through the right side to score junior outfielder Sarah Chow and senior shortstop Jolene Koons. Froton then scored on a single from sophomore first baseman Paxton Provost. Senior third baseman Nicole Arata then homered for the second-straight game, bringing Provost across the plate as well.

The hitting streak continued through the next innings as it wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that a team did not score. The Rebels added three more runs in the top of the second, scoring on a double, a single and a sac fly. The Aggies continued to answer though, as Froton came in with her home run, scoring herself and Koons, while Provost scored on an error in right field.

In the third inning, Jade Yadao-Valdez entered the game as a pinch runner for the Rebels, advancing on a pair of ground outs. She then crossed the plate on a wild pitch from Armendariz. The Aggies then continued to extend their lead, when Froton singled to shortstop, advancing Noelle Johnson home.

UNLV kept reaching for the lead into the fourth inning, adding another pair of runs A double from Fahren Glackin scored Blando for the second time, while Glackin then scored on a fielding error in the Aggie left field. The Rebel defense then held USU scoreless in the bottom of the inning, allowing just one hit.

The fifth inning proved to be the most pivotal for UNLV as it scored seven runs and took the lead for the first time. The Rebels earned two runs off of singles, one from a double and one after capitalizing on a wild pitch from McCracken. A Haslinger homer then added three additional runs to extend the Rebel advantage.

Utah State was again unable to score in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman catcher Brina Buttacavoli and Koons were both able to get a hit, but a double play ended the inning. Defensive roles reversed in the next two innings as the Aggies held UNLV without a run for the final stretch of the game.

With the end of the game quickly approaching, Utah State tried to find an offensive surge, but couldn't quite catch UNLV. A double from Noelle Johnson added runs for Arata and Sacuedo in the bottom of the sixth, while Froton crossed the plate on a Provost Double in the bottom of the seventh. The team scored a season-high 12 runs, but it wasn't enough to come out ahead.

"We have to regroup. We need to continue to hit like we did today because there's no doubt we need to score runs. Both sides have seen each other's pitching," Johnson said. "With a loss like this you just have to bounce back and know it's a new day, just like today was a new day from the win. We'll come out with the same approach and get after it."

Utah State and UNLV will conclude the three-game series on Saturday, April 4. First pitch at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field is set for 12 p.m.

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.