Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. -

Indiana 5, Utah State 2

Utah State 6, Bradley 2

In the third day of tournament play at the Kajikawa Classic, Utah State softball split its Saturday games with a 5-2 loss to Indiana and a 6-2 win over Bradley.

Four Aggie pitchers got time in the circle Saturday. Junior Alleyah Armendariz made her first start of the season against Indiana before being relieved by freshman Katie Schroeder. Together, the two allowed eight hits and walked just one batter, while tallying two strikeouts. Against Bradley, junior April started on the mound, with senior Noelle Johnson coming in in the seventh inning. They combined to allow nine hits and one walk, while striking out four batters.

With the split, the Aggies pick up their first win of the season, sitting at 1-4 as they go into the final day of the tournament.

"It obviously feels good to get the first win. We finally put a complete game together against Bradley, and when all the parts are working together we can do well," said Utah State head coach Steve Johnson. "April had another big day in the circle for us and we finally got the clutch hits we'd been missing earlier.

Bradley was first on the board in the afternoon game, scoring in the first and third innings. A double in the first brought the Braves' first batter back around to take the early lead, while the team added another run in the same fashion near the end of the top of the third.

The offensive success against Bradley came all at once for the Aggies Saturday afternoon, as the team scored all six runs in the fourth inning. Junior second baseman Kylie-Rose Dickson was first on base that inning after getting hit by a pitch. Junior outfielder Amanda Sheets got on with a bunt single, while Johnson also got hit by the ball. With the bases loaded, junior third baseman Victoria Saucedo drilled a ball over the center field fence to score four runs. Armendariz followed, getting to full count before hitting a home run to nearly the same spot out of the park. Back-to-back doubles followed for the Aggies, with junior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo scoring on senior first baseman Libby Pederson's hit.

The Aggies allowed just three more hits from Bradley, while holding strong and getting the necessary outs. As Noelle Johnson came in to pitch the final inning, the Braves got one player on base before the USU defense ended the game.

"Now we've got to take this win and the feelings around it to come back and go 1-0 again tomorrow," Steve Johnson said.

Indiana struck early with two runs in the top of the first. With batters on from a fielder's choice, a walk and a hit by pitch, Kassi Farmer picked up a hit with a single to right center that allowed runners time to advance two bases, with two running home. Later, Farmer was caught stealing second, ending the inning. The Hoosiers added a third run in the second, when Taylor Uden reached base on a USU error, later crossing the plate on a single up the middle.

The Aggies were able to get on the board in the bottom of the second, scoring their only two runs of the game. In her first-career at bat, freshman designated player Bailey Lewis hit a home run to center field, bringing in Jaramillo from second base, who had doubled to right center just minutes before.

The third, fourth and fifth innings were quiet ones for Utah State who were retired in order each time. Jaramillo got the first hit for USU in three innings early in the sixth, but the team wasn't able to capitalize on the loaded bases. Indiana scored its final run in the top of the sixth, on a ground out with runners on second and third. The Aggies also had the bases full in the seventh, but a final strikeout left all three runners stranded and ended the game.

"This was a frustrating loss because we had the pitching to win, but gave it away defensively and left too many runners on. Alleyah and Katie did a good job of not giving up the big hits, but we didn't have the answers at the plate," Steve Johnson said. "Bailey had a big hit for her first collegiate home run and that should have been a spark, but instead it fizzled. We need to stay consistent in all aspects of the game to be successful."

The Aggies conclude Kajikawa Classic play on Sunday, Feb. 14, in a 9 a.m. game against Maryland.

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