Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -

Utah State 7, New Mexico 4

Utah State softball opened the Mountain West portion of its 2016 season Thursday in a 7-4 win at New Mexico.

Junior April Brown made the start in the circle for the Aggies Thursday, but was replaced by senior Noelle Johnson early in the first inning. Johnson struck out three batters and walked two, while allowing just two hits.

"This was a great team win. Our bats were hot in the first inning to get an early lead. When April didn't have it to start the game, Noelle came in and had probably her best game of the year. In the fifth, we got hot again and the hitters fed off each other and the bench. The bench had great energy all night and was the MVP of the game."

With the win, Utah State improves to 13-11 on the season and remains undefeated in conference-openers since joining the Mountain West. New Mexico falls to 15-12 on the year with the loss.

The Aggies jumped out to an early lead, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first. The first three USU batters got on base, while senior catcher Kirstyn Namba was first on the board, scoring on a single from Johnson. On the next at-bat, the Lobos fielded a double play to put junior outfielder Alleyah Armendariz and Johnson out, but senior outfielder Sarah Chow was able to score. The Aggies added another pair of singles in the inning, but the attempt came to an end on a fielder's choice. New Mexico quickly answered the Aggies' runs, taking the lead in the bottom of the first. League-leading batter Mariah Rimmer singled up the middle to score a runner, while the Lobos followed with a two-run home run to take the lead.

The second and third innings were quick, as the Aggies picked up just one hit between both teams. In the fourth, USU got one runner on base with a dropped fly, but the Lobos were able to extend their lead in the bottom of the inning with a home run to right center.

The Aggie offense got back in action in the top of the fifth. Chow was first on base with a single and followed with her eighth stolen base of the season. Johnson then doubled to the right center gap, pushing Chow home. Senior first baseman Libby Pederson then earned a two-base hit to left center, scoring Johnson and tying the game at four. Junior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo followed with an RBI single to score freshman Mia Maher, in as a pinch runner for Pederson. With the lead back in USU's favor, junior third baseman Victoria Saucedo hit her fifth home run of the season, also scoring Jaramillo. The Aggies got one more on base with a walk, but ended the top of the inning with a 7-4 lead.

Utah State added three more hits in the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to capitalize on them. In that same time, the Lobos got a pair of runners on base, both on errors by the Aggie defense. In an attempt to catch the Aggies in the bottom of the seventh, a New Mexico runner tried to score on a single, but was caught by Namba. One last ground out ended the game in USU's favor.

Weekend action at New Mexico continues on Friday, March 25 in a 6 p.m. game, with the final meeting set for Noon on Saturday, March 26.

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.