Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -

Memphis 8, Utah State 0 (5) | Utah State 3, Southern Utah 1

Utah State softball opened its weekend of competition at the DeMarini Desert Classic Friday, splitting its games with a loss to Memphis (8-0) and a win over Southern Utah (3-1).

Freshman Kellie White and senior April Brown each made a start for the Aggies on the mound Friday, while sophomore Katie Schroeder also some time. Together, the three allowed 10 hits on the day, while striking out three batters and walking five.

At the plate, sophomore designated player Bailey Lewis was a perfect 2-for-2 in the game against Southern Utah. Behind her, junior outfielder Jazmin Clarke and senior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo hit .400 (2-of-5) between the two games. Senior first baseman Paxton Provost was tops defensively, tallying a team-high 14 putouts.

With the split, Utah State sits at 5-2 on the season.

Memphis struck early and hard against the Aggies, putting up five runs in the first inning. With the bases loaded, a ball got through the infield to score two runs and put the Tigers on the board. The next batter followed with a home run, clearing the bases and giving Memphis its 5-0 lead.

Utah State was able to get several players on base throughout the second inning, but was never able to capitalize on the opportunities. The Aggies were then retired in order in each of the remaining innings. The Memphis offense added another three runs in the fifth inning, cutting the game short.

"In the first game tonight, we were just flat-out terrible. Memphis put the pressure on us early and we didn't respond. That error in the first to lead to the five unearned runs set a tone," said Utah State head coach Steve Johnson. "We had some good contacts early in the game, but then started trying to do too much and we lost our mechanics. The wheels fell off defensively in the fifth, and we couldn't recover. Fortunately we had another game right away to clear the system."

After just a 10-minute break, the Aggies returned to the field against Southern Utah.

The Thunderbirds had the first run of the game, hitting a homer in the top of the first. Utah State didn't let the deficit last long though and was able to score in the bottom of the second. Jaramillo doubled as the second batter of the inning, while Lewis followed with a single to center field that pushed Jaramillo home.

The Aggies broke the tie and took the lead with a strong performance in the bottom of the fifth. Clarke led-off with a bunt single and later stole second. Senior outfielder Amanda Sheets was hit by a pitch, while senior third baseman Victoria Saucedo reached on a fielder's choice. A single to center from Jaramillo gave both Clarke and Saucedo the time to cross the plate. Utah State went on to load the bases again, but a strikeout ended the inning.

Southern Utah got two additional players on base with walks in the sixth and seventh innings, but the Aggies held on for the win.

"April threw well against Southern Utah and our defense picked it back up. The big hits by Sarina and Bailey were clutch," Johnson said. "It was good to get the win, but we have to continue to improve this weekend."

Utah State returns to tournament action with games against Weber State and UTEP on Saturday, Feb. 18. The Aggies will play the Wildcats at 3:30 p.m. (MT), followed by a match-up against the miners at approximately 5:45 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.