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LOGAN, Utah -

Nevada 8, Utah State 1

Utah State softball continued its series with Nevada Friday, where the Wolf Pack picked up the win and secured the series with an 8-1 victory over the Aggies. Sophomore Kellie White made the start on the mound for the Aggies, pitching five complete innings before being relieved by senior Jordyn McCracken. Together, the pair struck out three batters and walked five. Offensively, the Aggies four hits were a collective effort, each coming from a different player. With the loss, Utah State falls to 12-18 overall and 2-6 in Mountain West play. Nevada improves to 16-15 on the year and 5-3 in conference. Nevada got on the board early, taking the lead in the top of the first. After two outs, a walk and a deep double combined to bring in the first run of the game. After retiring the Aggie lineup in order, the Wolf Pack then added to its lead in the top of the second. With runners on the corners, a sac fly brought the inning's first runner home.

Utah State had its first offensive plays of the game in the bottom of the second, where senior catcher Brina Buttacavoli led off with a double to left center. A single from junior first baseman Bailee Trapp moved her to third, while freshman designated player Stephanie Reed drew a walk to load the bases. Unfortunately, all runners were left stranded as the inning ended on a pop-up to the Nevada first baseman.

Nevada continued to build its lead in the third inning, doing so quickly with back-to-back doubles. With a hit and a fielder's choice, a pair of throwing errors by the Aggie defense resulted in another two runs for the Wolf Pack. Nevada got two additional runners on base in the inning, but both were left on after the final out was made in left field. Utah State added two base runners in its half of the inning as freshman outfielder Leah Molina singled through the left side and Buttacavoli reached first on a Nevada error.

The Aggies' defensive play improved over the fourth and fifth innings, as the team turned a double play in each. The offense then got on the board and erase the shutout in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman shortstop Emery Marshall led off with a single to left field, but was out on a fielder's choice on Molina. Sophomore outfielder Riley Plogger and Buttacavoli were each walked, loading the bases with two outs. After working her count full, senior third baseman Amee Aarhus was then hit by a pitch, bringing Molina home.

The Nevada offense returned in the top of the six, where the Wolf Pack plated another three runs. After quickly loading the bases on three-straight singles, a double to right center cleared the bags. The Aggies made a pitching change then, with McCracken closing out the game. Utah State added one more double play, while McCracken earned her first strikeout. She then retired the Wolf Pack side in order in the top of the seventh. The Aggies got two more runners on base in the game as Marshall walked and senior outfielder Jazmin Clarke hit a triple, but were never able to add another run.

In all, Nevada tallied 11 hits, while Utah State had four. The Aggies also had three errors to the Wolf Pack's one.

The series between the Aggies and the Wolf Pack will wrap-up on Saturday, March 31, in a noon contest.

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.