LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (0-0) is set to open its 2019 campaign this weekend at the Titan Classic, hosted by Cal State Fullerton. The weekend will begin with games against Northwestern (0-0) and Loyola Marymount (0-0) on Friday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. (MT) and 4:30 p.m., respectively.
The tournament will continue through the weekend with another three games. On Saturday, Feb. 9, the Aggies will play Pacific (0-0) at 4 p.m. and Cal State Fullerton (0-0) at 6:30 p.m., with the tournament finale set for Sunday, Feb. 10, when USU takes on Louisville (0-0) at 10:30 a.m.
The Titan Classic is in its second year under its current name, but this is the fourth season Cal State Fullerton has hosted a tournament on opening weekend. The tournament will feature 20 games between eight teams. All games will be played on the two diamonds at Anderson Family Field.
Tickets to the Titan Classic games can be purchased online at fullertontitans.com, or on gameday at the box office. Full day passes for the tournament are available for $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for youth. The entirety of the tournament will be streamed online by FloSoftball. A monthly or annual subscription and related fee is required to view the weekend's games. A radio broadcast will be provided by Cal State Fullerton for all games played on Field 1 (Utah State vs. Northwestern and Cal State Fullerton). Live stats and limited social media coverage will also be available for each game of the Titan Classic.
Northwestern opens its season against the Aggies, returning five starters from a year ago. The Wildcats are coming off a 38-19 record in 2018, while going 14-8 in Big Ten play, and are listed among teams receiving votes in both preseason polls. Kate Drohan enters her 18th season as the head coach at Northwestern, where she has a 570-345-1 record. The Aggies and Wildcats have met seven times in the past, where Utah State leads the series, 4-3. The teams last played in 2002, when the Aggies posted an 11-10 win in eight innings.
Loyola Marymount comes into the 2019 season off a 34-24-1 record a year ago, including an 11-3 West Coast Conference ledger. The Lions return five starters and seven letterwinners from last season, while welcoming 10 new players to the roster. Sami Strinz-Ward is in her fourth season as the head coach at LMU, where she has an overall record of 86-76-1. Loyola Marymount leads the all-time series against Utah State, 7-2. This marks the third-straight season USU and LMU have played, with the Aggies taking a 5-2 win at the 2018 Titan Classic.
Pacific comes into opening weekend after posting a 20-27 record in 2018, going 9-6 against WCC opponents. The Tigers welcome back four starters and six letterwinners, with five new players joining the team. Brian Kolze is beginning his 27th season at the helm of the Pacific program, where he has an all-time record of 749-678-1. A longtime rival of the Aggies, Pacific leads the all-time series, 36-24. Saturday will mark the third-straight season the teams have met, with USU winning the last two contests including a 2-0 victory in 2018.
The host-Titans are coming off a 35-25 record a year ago, including a Big West-best 18-3 record. Cal State Fullerton returns an experienced lineup with nine starters, along with 10 newcomers. Kelly Ford is in her seventh season as the head coach of the Titan program, where she has an overall record of 210-135-1. The Aggies and Titans have a rich history, with CSUF leading the series, 48-22. Last season, Utah State took the Titan Classic victory, defeating the host team, 5-2.
A first-time opponent for Utah State, Louisville posted a 33-20 record in 2018, including a 10-12 ACC record. The Cardinals return seven starters and 14 letterwinners from a year ago while adding six new players. Holly Aprile is in her first season as the head coach at Louisville.
Utah State returns seven starters from a year ago in sophomore pitcher Delaney Hull, senior catcher/first baseman Bailey Lewis, sophomore infielder Emery Marshall, sophomore outfielder Leah Molina, junior outfielder Riley Plogger, sophomore infielder Stephanie Reed and senior first baseman Bailee Trapp. In all, the Aggies welcome back 12 players from the 2018 roster. Last season, Utah State posted an overall record of 18-34, while going 7-17 in Mountain West play.
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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