Box Score

ST. GEORGE, Utah -

Utah State 8, Montana 2

Utah State softball wrapped up another solid weekend of tournament play Sunday, as it posted an 8-2 win over Montana in the final game of the Red Desert Classic.

Adding to her strong weekend, senior second baseman Victoria Saucedo led the Aggie offense Sunday, as she went 3-for-4 at the plate, including one home run. Senior shortstop Sarina Jaramillo also batted .750, while adding two RBIs. Freshman Kellie White pitched her second complete game of the weekend, striking out two batters and walking four while allowing five hits.

"It was a good day all-around for us. We put two runs up early, Kellie pitched well, we got out of some jams and continued to extend our lead throughout the game," said Utah State head coach Steve Johnson. "There are a few small execution things we need to clean up, but all-in-all it was a good weekend."

With the win, Utah State improves to 12-4 on the season after four weeks of competition.

The Aggies didn't waste any time Sunday morning, as the team scored two quick runs in the top of the first. Junior outfielder Jazmin Clarke led-off with a single, followed by a stolen base. Junior third baseman Amee Aarhus followed suit with a single to third and stealing second. With two outs on, Jaramillo drove a hit up the middle to bring both runners across.

The next three innings moved quickly before Utah State found another offensive surge in the top of the fourth. Jaramillo opened the inning with a double, while freshman outfielder Riley Plogger quickly brought her home with a triple. After a pitching change for the Grizzlies, junior catcher Brina Buttacavoli reached first on an error, bringing Plogger across the plate.

USU continued to extend its lead in the fifth inning, behind two home runs. Saucedo led-off with a dinger to left center. Jaramillo was next to reach with a single to right center. The Grizzlies then moved to their third pitcher of the day, but Jaramillo advanced to second on a groundout from Plogger. Buttacavoli then hit her first homer of the season, giving the Aggies two additional runs.

In the top of the sixth, several Aggies saw time as pinch hitters. In that capacity, sophomore Bailee Trapp drew a walk, while freshman Devan Sperry earned her first-career hit with a single through the left side. After a single from Saucedo put two runners on, Sperry scored on a single from senior first baseman Paxton Provost.

Montana evaded the shutout as it put up a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Grizzlies reached base on an Aggie error, while back-to-back hits drove two runners home.

On the day, Utah State tallied 13 hits, while Montana had five. The Aggies had one error to the Grizzlies' two.

Utah State heads back south next weekend to play in the Beehive Classic, hosted by Southern Utah. There, the Aggies will play a single game against the Thunderbirds, as well as two games against both Bradley and Wagner. Action from Cedar City will begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 9.

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.