Box Score

LOGAN, Utah -

Nevada 12, Utah State 4 (5)

Returning to action after 11 days off, Utah State softball opened the final weekend of the 2016 season Thursday in a 12-4 five-inning loss to Nevada.

Junior pitcher Alleyah Armendariz made the start in the circle Thursday, but she was relieved early in the first inning by senior Noelle Johnson. After giving up three runs and never taking the lead, Armendariz took the team's loss, falling to 3-7 on the season. Combined, the two pitchers allowed 16 hits while walking one batter.

With the loss, Utah State falls to 25-24 on the season with an 11-11 Mountain West ledger. Nevada improves to 31-14 on the year with a 9-9 league record.

Nevada got an early start Thursday afternoon, as the first four batters got hits. Of those four, three led to runs being scored and giving the Wolf Pack a quick lead. After the pitching change, the Aggies were able to get outs on the board, as Johnson's first at-bat resulted in a double play.

The Wolf Pack continued its strong offensive showing as it had lead-off hits in all but one inning. The USU defense was able to escape the second inning without further scoring, but Nevada added three runs in the top of the third to extend its lead.

Utah State got two runners on base through a hit by pitch and a Nevada error, but didn't have a hit until the bottom of the fourth when Johnson doubled through the left side. That was the inning the Aggies were able to get on the board, as Johnson and freshman pinch runner Mia Maher crossed the plate on a single from junior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo.

The top of the fifth was a big inning for the Wolf Pack who doubled its score on six hits and one Utah State error. The Aggie defense had its second double play of the day in the inning, but managed to allow the six runs before ending the attempt on a groundout.

USU's big hit of the day came in the bottom of the fifth, as the Aggies looked to keep the game going. Sophomore outfielder Jazmin Clarke led-off the inning with a bunt single. She then stole second, extending her single-season stolen base record to 25 on the year. Moving to third on a groundout, Clarke was still on base when Armendariz hit a home run over the left field fence to add two runs. Junior first baseman Paxton Provost was the final runner to get on base as she was hit by a pitch, but the game came to a run-ruled end on a flyball to right field.

The Aggies and the Wolf Pack return to LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field on Friday, March 13, at 4 p.m. The series and season will then conclude in an 11 a.m. game on Saturday, March 14. Prior to the game, USU will honor its senior class.

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.