Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. -

Fresno State 6, Utah State 1

Utah State softball opened a three-game series at Fresno State Friday, falling to the Bulldogs, 6-1.

Sophomore pitcher Kellie White made the start for the Aggies, throwing five innings. She was relieved by senior Jordyn McCracken, who recorded the only strikeout against the Bulldogs. Offensively, freshman outfielder Leah Molina led Utah State, as she went 2-for-3 at the plate.

With the loss, Utah State falls to 13-20 overall, including a 3-7 Mountain West record. Fresno State improves to 22-15 on the year and 5-2 in conference action.

Both teams got runners on base in the first, where the Aggies picked up a hit and a Fresno State error, while the Bulldogs earned three-straight walks in the bottom of the inning. The Utah State defense was also able to get out of jam in the second, as the Bulldogs got runners on first and second before the end of the inning.

The Aggies recorded two quick outs in the bottom of the fourth, before the Bulldogs made a rally. Fresno State picked up its first hit of the game with a single to center field. A double followed, scoring the Bulldogs' first run. With a single through the left side, both runners advanced on the throw to plate another. One more batter was walked in the inning, but a pair of runners were left stranded as the inning ended on a pop-up to first.

Fresno State had another big outing in the bottom of the fifth, plating another three runs to add to its lead. After leading off with a single, a double to center brought in the first run of the inning. A defensive error put runners on the corners for the Bulldogs, where a groundout drove a runner home. With runners again on first and third after a walk, a single down the left field line scored the runner from third.

After six-straight Utah State batters were retired, the Aggies were able to score in the top of the sixth. Senior outfielder Jazmin Clarke led-off with a single up the middle, stealing second on the next at-bat. A sac bunt from sophomore outfielder Riley Plogger then moved Clarke to third, where she was able to score on a passed ball. The Aggies added one more hit in the inning with a double from junior first baseman Bailee Trapp, but she was left on base after a strikeout ended the Aggie half of the inning.

Fresno State added one insurance run on a sac fly in the bottom of the sixth. Utah State was then retired in order in the top of the seventh, ending the game.

The Bulldogs out-hit the Aggies, 8-5, while each team had two errors on the day.

The Aggies and Bulldogs will continue the series in a 4 p.m. (MT) game on Saturday, April 7, with the finale set for Sunday, April 8, 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.