Box Score

LOGAN, Utah -

Utah State 7, Boise State 6

Utah State 16, Boise State 2 (5)

Utah State softball opened its weekend of conference action on a high note Friday, as the Aggies defeated Boise State in doubleheader action. The Aggies opened the day with a 7-6 victory before topping the Broncos, 16-2, in a five-inning game.

Junior pitcher Alleyah Armendariz played the majority of the first game, pitching all but one out of action. Freshman Katie Schroeder entered the game in the top of the seventh inning, facing one batter and recording her first-career save. Amendariz picked up her first individual win of the season, tallying two strikeouts and three walks, allowing six hits. In the later game, senior Noelle Johnson threw her eighth complete game of the season. She struck out four batters while walking one, allowing six hits in the game.

"This was big for us to come back and good to get our bats going again. Alleyah and Noelle threw really well all day long and the defense continued to play well behind them. It was good for us to get back above .500 and continue chasing down the dream of getting that winning season," said Utah State head coach Steve Johnson. "To come back from last week's close games at Fresno State and take care of business like we did today is huge. It's just another step in the progression of our team and we have to finish strong."

With the pair of wins, Utah State improves to 21-19 on the season with a 7-7 Mountain West ledger. This marks the first time since the 2010 season that the Aggies have met the 20-win mark, and the 21 wins are the most the program has had since the 2003 team went 23-29 on the season. With its losses, Boise State falls to 12-30 overall and 4-10 in conference action.

Along with the win total, the Aggies reached several other benchmarks with today's wins. Stealing four bases in the first game, sophomore outfielder Jazmin Clarke has successfully stolen base 20 times this season, topping the single-season steals record previously set at 17. With two home runs in today's action, junior third baseman Victoria Saucedo has now recorded a team-best 11 homers this season, which is one away from tying the single-season record. As a team, Utah State has hit 40 home runs this season, which ties last year's record-setting total.

After taking the Boise State lineup down in order to open the first game, Utah State was first on the board with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Clarke and senior outfielder Sarah Chow led-off with back-to-back singles. Posted on third and first base, respectively, the Broncos attempted to throw Chow out on her steal attempt. Missing the throw, both runners were able to execute successful steals, putting Clarke across the plate. Later, a single from senior first baseman Libby Pederson turned into extra bases on a Boise State error, helping Chow to home plate.

Utah State's lead didn't last though, as the Broncos scored four runs over the next two innings. Boise State capitalized on a couple of USU errors, scoring three runs between two at-bats. With misplaced throws, Bronco runners were able to advance and cross the plate. In the third, Boise State scored again on a single down the right field line.

After three empty innings, Utah State was able to get back in the scoring column in the bottom of the fifth. With two runners on, Armendariz singled to left center, scoring Clarke once again. In the next at-bat, Pederson drilled a home run over the center field fence, bringing Armendariz and Johnson in on the hit to put the Aggies back in the lead. Clarke then scored her third run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, crossing the plate on a sacrifice fly from Johnson.

The Broncos responded in the top of the seventh with a pair of runs off a single to right field. The Aggie defense held strong through the next two batters, as Schroeder entered to make the final out of the game.

Returning to the field for the second match-up of the day, Boise State was first to score with two runs in the top of the first inning. A double down the right field line put the Broncos on the board, while a second runner scored while escaping a run-down by the USU defense.

The Aggies were quick to respond, however, putting up six runs to take the early lead in the bottom of the inning. A double from Armendariz brought Chow and johnson across the plate, while Pederson followed with a double of her own to score Armendariz. With runners on the corners, Saucedo hit her first home run of the day, adding three runs to the Aggies' total. USU went through five more batters, circling back to the top of the order, but the inning ended with the bases loaded.

The Broncos added two hits in the top of the second, but Utah State held off the runners. In the bottom half of the inning, junior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo and Saucedo blasted back-to-back home runs, scoring one additional runner in Armendariz who drew a lead-off walk.

Utah State retired the Boise State offense in order through the third and fourth innings. The Aggies got three runners on in the bottom of the third, but were unable to score. That drought didn't last long though, as USU went on to score seven runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The Aggies again worked their way through the entire batting order, while several players were able to see time at the plate in pinch hitting roles. Having battled injuries through the season, junior transfers Elysia Mesa and Anna Thomas both had a turn at bat, making their USU debuts. Freshman Mia Maher and senior Colby Argyle also got their turns.

The Aggies loaded the bases early, as Saucedo opened the inning with a double, followed by a walk from sophomore catcher Brina Buttacavoli and a free base as senior designated player Paxton Provost was hit by a pitch. Freshman third baseman Bailee Trapp then drew a walk, forcing Saucedo to move home. Pinch hitting, junior Sydney Hart singled up the middle for a two-run hit, bringing Provost and Buttacavoli across the plate as all runners advanced on the throw. Johnson kept the hitting streak alive with a single to center field, scoring Chow who had re-entered to run in her position. With two runners still on, Armendariz homered to left center, extending the Aggies' lead. Utah State ended the inning with seven runs on four hits, leaving two runners stranded.

The Broncos went in to the bottom of the fifth looking to avoid a run-rule situation, but the team got just one hit on the attempt, as the game ended on a groundout to Johnson on the mound.

Utah State and Boise State have one final game remaining in the series. The matchup is scheduled for Sunday, April 24 at Noon. With rain in the forecast over the next several days, the teams and USU administration will determine when the game will be played. Information will be kept up-to-date at utahstateaggies.com and on the USU Softball social media pages.

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.