Box Score

RENO, Nev. -

Nevada 6, Utah State 2 | Utah State 6, Nevada 3

Utah State softball split its first day of competition at Nevada Saturday, as the Wolf Pack picked up the first win of the day, 6-2, and the Aggies retaliated with a 6-3 victory of their own.

Senior designated player Sydney Hart had the top performance at the plate for the Aggies Saturday, as she went 2-for-6. Four other Utah State players also had two hits between the two games. Senior first baseman Paxton Provost was tops defensively, with 14 putouts. Three USU pitchers saw time in the circle, where freshman Kellie White earned her 10th win of the season. Together, the three allowed 11 hits, while striking out three batters and walking six.

With the split, Utah State ends the day with a 20-7 overall record, including a 3-2 Mountain West ledger. Nevada is 16-13 on the year and 2-3 in league play.

Nevada was first to score in the first game of the day, striking with a sole run in the bottom of the second. With two runners on, a sac fly brought one in to put the Wolf Pack on the board. The Wolf Pack lead didn't last long though, as the Aggies answered with two runs in the top of the third. Senior shortstop Kylie-Rose Dickson picked up USU's first hit of the game with a single to the pitcher, advancing to second on a sac bunt from junior outfielder Jazmin Clarke. Back-to-back singles followed for the Aggies, as junior third baseman Amee Aarhus and senior second baseman Victoria Saucedo both drove in runs off their hits. Utah State got two other runners on through a walk and an error, but a strikeout ended the inning.

The Aggies had several chances in the top of the fourth, opening the inning with two walks. A groundout advanced both runners, followed by another walk for sophomore Bailee Trapp, who pinch hit to load the bases. Nevada got out of the jam however, as two fielder's choice plays kept Utah State off the plate and ended the top half of the inning.

The Nevada offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth. Despite opening the inning with a quick popup, the Wolf Pack followed with back-to-back doubles, tying the score at two. The bases filled up quickly, where Nevada made the most of the opportunity and hit a grand slam to take the 6-2 lead. The Pack added one more double before the Aggie defense made the final two outs of the inning.

Utah State had another good chance after loading the bases in the top of the fifth, but was unable to capitalize on it. The same situation played out in the top of the sixth, but the ninth strikeout of the game made the Aggies come up empty.

In the first game, Nevada out-hit the Aggies, 7-5, while the teams combined for five errors.

The second game started in Utah State's favor, as the Aggies put three runs on the board in the top of the third inning. Hart had the first hit of the game as she led-off the inning with a single up the middle. Dickson followed with a walk, while both runners advanced on a single from sophomore outfielder Mia Maher. Clarke followed with a single of her own, bringing Hart and Dickson back home. Aarhus then drew a walk, while Clarke stole second. With just one out and the bases loaded, Provost added a sac hit to bring Maher in, before a strikeout ended the inning with USU up, 3-0.

The Aggies' scoring streak continued through another strong inning in the top of the fourth. Junior catcher Brina Buttacavoli got things started with a single to the mound. Dickson drew a walk, while both advanced on a wild pitch. With two outs on the board, Clarke added a single to score Buttacavoli and added a stolen base. Aarhus then singled up the middle, bringing both Dickson and Clarke across the plate.

After allowing six unanswered runs from the Aggies, the Wolf Pack went on to score the final three runs of the game, but was unable to catch USU. Nevada got its first hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth, as a single was followed by a double, putting the Pack on the board. Nevada then added a run in both the fifth and seventh innings, both of which were results of Utah State errors.

The Aggies ended the game with eight hits to Nevada's four. Utah State had three errors in the win.

Utah State and Nevada will conclude their series on Sunday, March 26, in a Noon (MT) game.

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.