Box Score

RENO, Nev. -

Utah State 17, Nevada 5 (5)

Utah State softball picked up its second-straight conference series win Sunday, as the Aggies defeated Nevada, 17-5, in a five-inning game.

Junior outfielder Jazmin Clarke and freshman shortstop Devan Sperry led the Aggies in their big day at the plate, where both were a perfect 4-for-4. The four hits tie a single-game record at Utah State, one that Clarke had previously matched this season. In her first-career start, Sperry also led the team with seven RBIs, which is a new single-game best in the USU record books.

Freshman Kellie White pitched her second complete game of the weekend, as she improves to 11-2 on the year. She allowed five hits from the Wolf Pack, while walking five batters and striking out one.

"Today was a great bounceback for us. We didn't play well at all yesterday, despite picking up a win. So we shuffled the lineup a bit, came out with a more aggressive approach and started hot early, then just kept the pedal down," said Utah State head coach Steve Johnson. "I was really proud of Devan to come in and hit the way she did. We scored from everywhere in the lineup, and that's big. It was good to see our bats come back after some poor at-bats yesterday. Kellie did a good job of working with the lead all day and overcoming some harsh conditions with the wind and cold temperature."

With the win, Utah State ends the weekend with a 21-7 overall record, while going 4-2 in Mountain West play. Nevada falls to 16-14 on the year and 2-4 in league action.

Utah State got started early, as the first five batters of the lineup got on base. Junior third baseman Amee Aarhus led-off with a single, later stealing second. Clarke followed with a double that brought Aarhus home and put the Aggies on the board. Senior second baseman Victoria Saucedo then hit her eighth home run of the season, bringing Clarke in with her. Senior first baseman Paxton Provost drew a walk, but was out on the next at-bat, when senior designated player Sydney Hart reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs on the board, freshman outfielder Riley Plogger singled, while both runners advanced another base on a Nevada error, bringing Hart across the plate. Sperry then added her first hit of the day, where she and Plogger both advanced on the throw and plated another run.

In the bottom of the first, Nevada added three hits, but scored just one run. The Aggies continued their surge in the top of the second. Clarke was first on with a bunt single and a stolen base, scoring when Provost reached on a Wolf Pack error. Nevada had its highest-scoring inning of the day, as it plated three runs in the bottom of the second. The Pack opened the inning with back-to-back walks and a single, scoring on that hit. Later, another two runs crossed the plate as a fielder's choice combined with an error by the Aggie defense. Despite one early out, the Utah State offense continued to build up its lead in the top of the third. Plogger had the first hit of the inning with a single to third, while Sperry followed with an RBI double to bring her home. Sperry was then able to score as senior outfielder Kylie-Rose Dickson reached base on an error. Aarhus and Clarke followed with a single each, scoring Dickson. Aarhus wrapped up the scoring of the inning as she made it home on a groundout from Saucedo.

After retiring the Nevada offense in order, the Aggies returned to the plate to score another four runs in the top of the fourth. Pinch hitting, sophomore Bailee Trapp led-off the inning with a walk, advancing to third when junior catcher Brina Buttacavoli reached on a Wolf Pack error. Plogger followed with a single, scoring Trapp. Sperry's big day continued, as she hit her first-career home run, adding three runs to USU's total.

Nevada earned its final run of the day in the bottom of the fourth. The Wolf Pack opened its trip to the plate with a walk and a hit by pitch, while both runners later advanced on a wild pitch from White. A sac fly then brought a runner in.

The Aggies weren't done yet, as they added three last runs in the top of the fifth. Provost was first on base after drawing a walk. Buttacavoli then reached on a fielder's choice, but a fielding error kept Provost on and safe as well. Plogger added another walk to reach first, loading the bases. Sperry hit a single, but a bad throw gave all runners more time, where Provost and Buttacavoli were able to score. Freshman Allanah Alvarado entered to pinch hit. She grounded out, but the play brought Plogger across the plate.

Nevada put three runners on the bases in the bottom of the fifth with a walk, a hit and a fielder's choice. Unable to score, however, the game came to an end at the conclusion of the fifth inning.

On the day, Utah State out-hit Nevada, 14-5. The Aggies had just one error in the game, while the Wolf Pack committed five.

"Hopefully we can take this performance and have a great week of practice and come out firing next weekend," Johnson said.

Utah State returns to Mountain West road action next week, as the team heads to Boise, Idaho. The Aggies will play a three-game series at Boise State, starting Friday, March 31, at 4 p.m. The weekend will continue in a 4 p.m. game on Saturday, April 1, with the series finale set for Sunday, April 2, at Noon.

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.