Box Score

HENDERSON, Nev. -

Utah State 10, Southern Utah 4

Utah State 6, UTEP 1

Utah State softball added two wins to its record Saturday, defeating Southern Utah, 10-4, and UTEP, 6-1, in tournament play at the UNLV hosted DeMarini Desert Classic.

With the wins, the Aggies improve to 5-5 on the year.

The Aggies used just two pitchers on Saturday, as freshman Katie Schroeder and junior April Brown each pitched their first complete games of their USU careers. Schroeder earned her first-career win against Southern Utah, striking out four batters and walking four others, while allowing five hits. Brown improved to 3-1 this season with the win over UTEP, as she tallied seven strikeouts and one walk, allowing just one hit.

"Yesterday was a roller coaster of performances with the good being our pitching and defense in the win over Weber State and the bad being our offense all day and the loss to Grand Canyon. Last night we really challenged the girls to come out more focused today and that's exactly what they did," said USU head coach Steve Johnson. "Out next challenge is to be consistent with the effort and performances we had all-around today."

The day opened against in-state rival Southern Utah. The first two innings were quick as the Aggie offense was retired in order both times, while the Thunderbirds got one hit in the bottom of the second. Utah State then got two runners on base in the top of the third with a walk and a fielder's choice.

Southern Utah was first on the board, scoring in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run from Morgan Leonard. That Thunderbird lead didn't last long though, as the Aggies evened the score in the top of the fourth in the same style. Junior catcher Sydney Hart hit a three-run home run to score freshman Mia Maher as a pinch runner and junior designated player Alleyah Armendariz who had just doubled to left field.

The fourth inning sparked the Aggie offense who went on to score in each remaining inning. In the fifth, USU got back-to-back players on base on Southern Utah errors, each advancing extra bases. As junior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo advanced to second, she pushed junior outfielder Amanda Sheets across the plate.

Hart was the first on base in the sixth with a walk, while sophomore outfielder Jazmin Clarke entered to run. Clarke stole second base, while junior third baseman Victoria Saucedo doubled to right field to add a run. Saucedo advanced on another SUU error and was able to score on a passed ball following a single from senior outfielder Sarah Chow. Sheets also reached base on an error, advancing Chow and junior second baseman Kylie-Rose Dickson home.

The Aggies held off Southern Utah again in the bottom of the sixth, allowing just one hit in the attempt. Utah State then added two final runs in the top of the seventh. Saucedo was first on base with a single to third base. Then with two outs on the board, Sheets singled to put Saucedo across the plate. Sheets then stole second base, scoring as Jaramillo reached base on the Thunderbirds' eighth error of the game. Southern Utah added one run in the top of the seventh, but the Aggies secured the win.

"We had a much better effort at the plate in this game and even though we didn't score early, we were making solid contact. We kept at it and eventually the hits started falling and we were able to score some runs," Johnson said. "Outside of the one inning where she had the two walks and the home run, Katie did a great job in the circle for us. Each game she is getting better, which is going to be key for us once we start conference play."

The strong day continued against the UTEP Miners later in the afternoon. After UTEP went 1-2-3 in the top of the first, the Aggies were on the board early when Sheets scored on a single from junior first baseman Paxton Provost.

The Miners got their first hit of the day in the top of the second, but was sandwiched in between three strikeouts from Brown's arm. In the bottom of the inning, senior catcher Kirstyn Namba got on base with a walk, advancing on an illegal pitch. A single from Dickson down the right side brought Namba in from third for the second run of the game.

UTEP was again retired in order in the third, while Provost got another single in the bottom half of the inning. The Aggies continued to build their lead in the fourth, as Saucedo scored on a Sheets single. In the fifth inning, Armendariz had the first hit of the inning with a triple to right field. Namba followed with a double, scoring Armendariz.

The sixth inning was a busy one for the Aggies, adding another pair of runs. Chow was first on base with a walk, advancing to second on a wild pitch. Sheets then grounded out to third, but Chow was able to move up a base. Jaramillo then reached base on a UTEP error, pushing Chow across the plate. Senior designated player Noelle Johnson was hit by a pitch for the second time that game, while Provost walked. A passed ball at the plate then gave Jaramillo time to run home. The Miners scored their sole run of the game in the top of the seventh, advancing around the bases on a throwing error at third base.

"April did a great job today against a team that can hit really well. She kept them so off-balance, they had a hard time putting the ball in play, and when they did, our defense made the plays behind her," Johnson said. "Our bats stayed hot against UTEP and we really worked the zone well to get our pitches and attack. We took advantage of some miscues and came up with some really clutch hits."

DeMarini Desert Classic action concludes tomorrow, when the Aggies play Cal State Northridge at 10 a.m. (MT).

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.