SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Behind hard-hitting bats, Utah State softball swept its first day of competition at the Silicon Valley Classic Friday, defeating Montana, 11-1, and CSU Bakersfield, 14-0, in a pair of five-inning games.
Senior first baseman Bailee Trapp led the Aggies at the plate Friday, as she went 3-for-4 between the two games, including one home run. In all, seven Utah State players had multiple hits, while eight hit .500 or better on the day. The Aggies finished the day with seven doubles, one triple and two home runs.
With the two wins, Utah State has a 5-7 record on the year.
In the tournament-opening game, Montana scored first, but that would be the Grizzlies only run of the day. The Aggies were quick to answer, taking the lead on their third at-bat of the game. After a pair of walks to open the inning, freshman shortstop Lexi Orozco lifted a home run to left center to clear the bases.
After a scoreless second inning, the Utah State offense exploded in the bottom of the third. The Aggies worked their way through the order, putting together six hits and getting additional runners on base on a walk and a Montana error. A double from freshman second baseman Kenzie Bolin highlighted the inning, while five other USU players hit singles, giving the Aggies a 10-1 lead.
Utah State was able to work several players into the lineup throughout the day. With a runner on, junior Allanah Alvarado pinch hit with an RBI double for the sole USU run of the fourth inning. The Aggie defense allowed one hit in the top of the fifth, but Montana was unable to score, ending the game.
Utah State tallied 10 hits to Montana's six, while the Grizzlies had one error. Sophomore Delaney Hull pitched the complete game for the Aggies, striking out four batters and walking one.
The Aggies quickly returned to the field to take on CSU Bakersfield. As the designated visiting team, USU didn't waste any time jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Despite two early outs, two singles and two doubles brought the runs in, while the Aggies were also able to take advantage of the CSUB defensive struggles with a walk and an error.
The second inning was another big one for Utah State. Junior outfielder Riley Plogger was hit by a pitch in the first at-bat, forcing a Roadrunner pitching change. The team then hit for a combined cycle in the next four at-batters. Orozco was first with a double to right, when Holmes hit the first USU triple of the season to center field. Junior third baseman Erin Kuba followed with a single to center, while Trapp hit her first home run of the year to bring in the fourth and fifth runs of the inning. At the conclusion of the second inning, Utah State had an 11-0 lead.
The Aggies continued to build their lead in the top of the third. After one out, junior second baseman Ryann Holmes hit a double, while Kuba drew a walk. Back-to-back players were then hit by pitches, bringing in the first run of the inning. After another pitching change, sophomore outfielder Stephanie Reed doubled to score another pair of runs.
Utah State did not add any other hits through the remainder of the game, but still got six runners on base. CSU Bakersfield had at least one baserunner in each inning, but was never able to capitalize. The game ended after a nine-pitch at-bat resulted in a foul out in Plogger's glove.
In all, Utah State had 14 hits, while CSU Bakersfield had five. The Roadrunners had three defensive errors to the Aggies' two. Freshman Chloe Nightingale made the start in the circle for USU, while freshman Kapri Toone entered to throw the fifth inning. Together the two struck two batters out and walked another two while splitting USU's first shutout win of the season.
The Aggies will continue action at the Silicon Valley Classic with a pair of games on Saturday, Feb. 23. Utah State will play Santa Clara at 3 p.m. (MT) and Ball State at 5:30 p.m. The weekend will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 24, in a 10 a.m. game against Northern Colorado.
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.
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