Box Score

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -

Utah State 4, UTEP 1

Utah State softball ended its weekend in California with a 4-1 win over UTEP Sunday. The Aggies played just a single game after the second half of the scheduled doubleheader was rained out.

Senior April Brown pitched her second complete game of the weekend, improving to 4-0 on the season. She allowed just two hits on the day while throwing a career-high 10 strikeouts. Senior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo led the Aggie offense in the win, as she went 3-for-4 (.750) at the plate, while also adding one RBI. Freshman catcher Allanah Alvarado was tops defensively with 10 putouts.

"Our pitching and defense carried us once again over UTEP. April threw a great game and the defense picked up some great stops," said USU head coach Steve Johnson. "The big thing we have to get better at is clutch-hitting. We left 12 on and had several chances to put the game out of reach, but didn't do it. That's one thing we have to improve heading into conference play."

With Sunday's win, the Aggies improve to 8-3 on the season.

The Aggies had a strong start to the day, scoring all four runs against UTEP before the Miners could get on the board. After both teams were retired in order in the first inning, Utah State struck with a lead-off one-pitch solo shot from senior designated player Sydney Hart. That home run was the third from Hart in as many games. With three quick strikeouts from Brown, the Miners went down 1-2-3 to end the inning.

Utah State added another pair of runs in the top of the third. Senior outfielder Amanda Sheets singled, while freshman outfielder Riley Plogger reached on a UTEP error. Both runners advanced on a passed ball, followed by a walk from Hart to load the bases. After junior Emily Hunter entered to run for Hart, both Sheets and Plogger scored when junior third baseman Amee Aarhus also benefitted from a Miner error. The Aggies would get two more on-base in the inning, but three runners were left stranded.

UTEP got its first runners on with a pair of walks in the bottom of the third, while the Miners earned their first hit in the bottom of the fourth. The Aggies, however, continued to extend their lead with a single run in the top of the fifth. Aarhus was the first player to reach first in the inning, with a bunt single, followed by a stolen base. Jaramillo added a single, while both runners were able to advance on the throw, putting Aarhus across the plate.

The Aggies got on-base five additional times through the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to capitalize on the plays. UTEP scored its sole run of the day in the bottom of the sixth. A runner reached first on an error, moving to third on a double from the next batter. A sac fly then pushed her home to put the Miners on the board.

In all, Utah State tallied 11 hits against UTEP, while holding the Miners to just two hits. The Aggies had one error, while UTEP finished with two.

Utah State returns to action next weekend at the St. George Red Desert Classic. There, the Aggies will play Utah Valley, Omaha, Binghamton, Iowa State and Montana, with games spanning Friday, March 3 through Sunday, March 5. The tournament is co-sponsored by Southern Utah University and the city of St. George, Utah.

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.