Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. -

Utah State 5, Pacific 3 | Utah State 2, North Dakota State 1 (8)

Utah State softball got its 2017 season underway Friday, opening play at the Easton Invitational with a pair of wins over Pacific and North Dakota State. The Aggies started the day with a 5-3 victory over the Tigers before defeating the Bison, 2-1, in eight innings.

This is the first time since 2010 that Utah State has started the season with a 2-0 record. That year, the Aggies went 4-1 in the season-opening Red Desert Classic.

"This team really showed a lot of fight in both games today. Our offense wasn't where we want it to be, but we produced when we needed to and at the end of the day that's all that matters," said USU head coach Steve Johnson. "Despite the offensive struggles, our pitching and defense was lights-out. April (Brown) did a great job against Pacific, keeping them off-balance and our outfield made some great catches to end potential rallies. In game two, Kellie (White) overcame a lot of adversity with the number of illegal pitches called against her. Despite that, she kept her composure and still threw a four-hitter for the W."

Three Aggie pitchers saw time in the circle in Friday's games. Senior April Brown made the start against Pacific, throwing 6.0 innings before she was relieved by sophomore Katie Schroeder. Together the two struck out seven batters while walking one. Brown picked up the first win of the year, while Schroeder earned the second save of her career. Freshman Kellie White made her collegiate debut against North Dakota State, pitching the complete game. She threw seven strikeouts on the day, while walking seven batters.

Offensively, three different players recorded two hits on the day, while senior designated player Sydney Hart had a team-high two RBIs. Junior catcher Brina Buttacavoli was tops defensively, leading the team with 13 putouts at the plate.

In the first game of the day, the Aggies and Tigers battled it out defensively, with neither team scoring until the fifth inning. Throughout the early innings of the game, Brown tallied a quick five strikeouts, while allowing just two batters to get on base.

Both teams found an offensive surge in the fifth inning, as each scored a pair of runs. Back-to-back doubles put Pacific on the board first, while a second runner scored on a single through the left side. Utah State didn't let the Tigers' lead last long though, answering with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

The team's home run leader a year ago, senior second baseman Victoria Saucedo put the Aggies on the board with an out-of-the-park hit to left field. With that hit, Saucedo is now tied for second on the USU career home run record list with 24. Hart followed Saucedo, reaching first on a Pacific fielding error, while sophomore Mia Maher entered to run for her. Maher stole second base, scoring when senior outfielder Amanda Sheets hit a double to right center. Utah State got two other runners on base with a walk and a hit-by-pitch, but both were left stranded at the end of the inning.

Pacific got back in the lead in the top of the sixth with a lead-off home run. The Aggies weren't done though, adding three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Utah State loaded the bases early, as senior first baseman Paxton Provost and senior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo were both walked. Saucedo added her second hit of the day with a single to the mound. Hart singled to right field, providing time for pinch runner Emily Hunter and Jaramillo to cross the plate and give Utah State the lead. Freshman outfielder Riley Plogger added her first-career hit to again put runners on all three bases. Sheets reached first on a fielder's choice, but Saucedo was put-out at home on the play. Later, junior outfielder Amee Aarhus reached on a Pacific error, advancing all runners and pushing senior pinch runner Kylie-Rose Dickson home.

The Aggie defense put the Pacific batters down in order in the top of the seventh, ending the game.

In all, Utah State tallied five runs on six hits without committing any errors. Pacific ended the game with three runs on six hits with two errors.

After a short break, the Aggies returned to the field to take on defending Summit League champions North Dakota State. Similar to the earlier game, the first five innings of action were empty offensively. Once White got a feel for the Division I level, her pitches settled and the Aggie defense held off the Bison. Aarhus and Buttcavoli had the first two hits of the day with singles in the first and second innings, respectively.

North Dakota State was first to score, earning its sole run of the game in the top of the sixth. The batter reached first on a fielder's choice, advancing to second on a walk. She was then able to score when a long throw allowed a single to earn an extra base. The Aggies answered to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Sheets opened the inning with a single, but was out at second as junior outfielder Jazmin Clarke reached on a fielder's choice. Aarhus grounded out, but Clarke was able to move to second. The Bison intentionally walked Saucedo, but a single down the right field line gave both Clarke and Saucedo enough time to advance two bases each.

Both teams came up empty in the seventh, taking the game to extra innings. In addition to the player placed on second in international tiebreaker rules, North Dakota State got one other runner on base in the top of the eighth, but was unable to capitalize. For the Aggies, Plogger was placed on second, advancing to third as Sheets reached on an error while attempting a sac bunt. A wild pitch was all the team needed then to cross the plate and earn the win.

Overall, the Aggies' two runs came on four hits in another error-free game. North Dakota State also notched four hits, while committing one error.

"Late in both games, our hitters kept making adjustments at the plate and came through big-time when the pressure was on. Vic (Saucedo) did a great job breaking through in the first game and once we got some confidence we finished really strong. In game two, Paxton (Provost) came up clutch with the game tying RBI late and then we took advantage of an error to win the game," Johnson said. "Overall, I'm really proud of how this team fought today. They really play for each other and that showed as we rallied in both games to start out 2-0."

Easton Invitational action continues tomorrow, Feb. 11. The Aggies will play Loyola Marymount at 3:30 p.m. (MT), followed by a game against tournament host Cal Stater Fullerton at 7:30 p.m.

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.