Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. -

Fresno State 3, Utah State 2

Utah State softball returned to series action at Fresno State Saturday, falling to the Bulldogs, 3-2.

Junior Alleyah Armendariz opened the night in the circle for the Aggies, pitching her first complete game of the season. On the night, Armendariz allowed eight hits, striking out and walking one batter apiece. Offensively, junior outfielder Amanda Sheets led the Aggies, going 1-of-2 at the plate. As a team, Utah State collected six hits on the night.

"This was another great battle by two teams tonight. It's tough to lose one like this, but we're right there in the fight and we haven't been in the past," said Utah State head coach Steve Johnson. "Alleyah threw one of her best games since she came to Utah State and I'm really proud of how she competed against the best-hitting team in the conference. Our defense kept making play after play behind her, and in the end it was one extra hit that beat us."

With the loss, Utah State falls to 19-18 on the season with a 5-6 Mountain West record. Fresno State improves to 29-9-1 overall with an 11-0 league ledger.

Utah State was first on the board Saturday, scoring a pair of runs in its first at-bat. Back in the starting lineup after an injury, Sheets was first on base, drawing a walk. Senior outfielder Noelle Johnson was then hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced as Armendariz grounded out, while Sheets scored on a single from junior first baseman Paxton Provost. Johnson was next to cross the plate, as junior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo reached on an error by the Fresno State third baseman. In the bottom of the inning, the Bulldogs answered with a sole run of their own, scoring on a groundout to shortstop.

The next few innings were quiet on both sides of the game. The Aggies were retired in order in the top of the third, but added one hit in each of the second, fourth and fifth innings. The Fresno State defense held strong however, as runners were left on base each time.

Defensively, USU held the Bulldogs to three hits over three innings, however, offensive action picked back up in the bottom of the fifth, when Fresno State added two runs to take the lead. With two runners on base, a double brought in both batters, scoring the final runs of the game. The Aggies added one hit in the top of the seventh, but were unable to capitalize, ending the game.

The series between Utah State and Fresno State will wrap up Sunday, April 16 in a 1 p.m. (MT) matchup.

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.