Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -

DePaul 8, Utah State 3

Utah State 8, Santa Clara 3

Continuing action at the Rebel Classic, Utah State softball split its day of competition with an 8-3 loss to DePaul, along with an 8-3 win over Santa Clara.

Freshman pitcher Katie Schroeder made the start for the Aggies against DePaul, pitching 5.1 innings before being relieved by senior Noelle Johnson. Together, the two allowed 12 hits while striking out three batters. Against Santa Clara, junior April Brown pitched her third complete game of the season. She allowed 10 hits, but tallied six strikeouts on the day.

With the split, Utah State moves to 8-10 on the season. The eight non-conference wins match last year's non-conference win total, while the Aggies have 10 games outside of Mountain West competition remaining.

After a 1-2-3 inning for both teams to open the first game of the day, DePaul was first on the board against the Aggies in the top of the second, scoring on a two-run home run. Utah State answered in the bottom half of the inning with a single run. Junior Alleyah Armendariz doubled to right center, while Johnson followed with a single to allow her to cross the plate.

The Blue Demons went on to score an additional six runs over three innings before the Aggies could add another. Utah State tallied six hits over the next stretch of game, but were unable to capitalize on the on-base opportunities until the bottom of the sixth. That inning, Johnson and junior Victoria Saucedo opened the attempt with back-to-back singles. Both were then able to score, when sophomore Brina Buttacavoli, in as a pinch hitter, doubled down the left field line. The seventh inning was a quiet one, as DePaul picked up one last hit and the Aggies were retired in order to give the Blue Demons the win.

Returning to the field later in the afternoon, Utah State picked up its second win over Santa Clara in a week, defeating the Broncos by the same score as the morning game. The Aggies got started early as senior catcher Kirstyn Namba led-off with a triple. She was left on base, however, as the next three batters were putout.

The Aggies then started putting runs on the board in the top of the second. Junior Sydney Hart was first on base with a walk, while junior Kylie-Rose Dickson entered the game to run for her. Saucedo followed with a home run, bringing Dickson home. With one out, Johnson took a base after being hit by a pitch, while Namba added the inning's second home run. In the top of the third, Armendariz doubled, later scoring on a single from Johnson to give the Aggies a 5-0 lead.

Santa Clara scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, getting on base on a USU error at first base and advancing on a wild pitch. After tagging up, the runner then scored on a fly out in center field. The Aggies extended their lead the next inning though, as Saucedo crossed the plate on a double from freshman Bailey Lewis, having gotten on base with a double of her own. In the bottom of the sixth, Santa Clara added its last two runs of the game. With a runner on first, the Broncos added a triple, while she was able to run home on an Aggie fielding error.

USU added two final runs in the top of the seventh. Senior outfielder Sarah Chow singled up the middle to get on base, while Armendariz followed with another single to the same spot. On the throw, Amendariz was able to advance to second, while Chow ran home. Armendariz then scored on a sacrificial hit from Saucedo. The Broncos got two final runners on base through an Aggie error and a single, but were left on as the last batter grounded into a double play.

Utah State will conclude action from the Rebel Classic, as well as preseason tournament play, against Wisconsin on Sunday, March 13 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.