FULLERTON, Calif. –  Utah State softball split its pair of games at the Titan Classic Saturday, as it defeated Pacific, 5-1, and dropped its night contest to Cal State Fullerton, 3-2.

Highlighted by five extra-base hits, Utah State put together 13 hits between its two games Saturday. Junior outfielder Riley Plogger led the Aggie offense as she went 4-for-7 between the two contests, including her first home run of the season. Three pitchers saw time in the circle for USU, with sophomore Delaney Hull pitching the complete game against Pacific, and freshmen Chloe Nightingale and Kapri Toone splitting the innings against the Titans.

With the split, Utah State sits with a 1-3 record after the first two days of the season. 

The Saturday opener against Pacific was very defensive-minded early on, as the teams combined for just two base runners through the first three innings. The Aggies had one hit in that stretch, a double from senior first baseman Bailee Trapp. 

Utah State was first to score, as Plogger opened the fourth inning with a home run to left center. The Tigers came back to tie the score in the bottom of the fifth. After a base hit, a stolen base combined with a USU error to advance the runner to third. A single up the middle then brought the runner home to put Pacific on the board. 

After a quick sixth inning, the Aggie offense fired up in the top of the seventh to take a lead the Tigers wouldn't be able to fight. Pinch hitting, junior infielder Ryann Holmes led-off with a single through the left side, while freshman catcher Gabriella Jimenez was then hit by a pitch. A couple of errors on the Pacific end worked in the Aggies' favor then. Sophomore outfielder Stephanie Reed reached first on an error, while a second throwing error allowed each runner to advance another base, pushing Holmes across the plate. With runners on second and third, sophomore Kennedy Hira entered to pinch hit and came up with a three-run home run. The Aggie defense then retired the Pacific side, securing the win. 

In all, Utah State out-hit Pacific, 7-4, while the Aggies had one error to the Tigers' two. Hull pitched the complete game for the Aggies, striking out three batters and walking two. 

Utah State quickly returned to action on the opposite diamond at Anderson Family Field to take on host-Cal State Fullerton. 

The Aggies had at least one base runner in all but one of the first five innings, but were unable to capitalize and left each runner stranded. The Titans brought their first run across in the bottom of the first and added another two in the fifth inning. USU looked to mount a comeback in the top of the sixth, falling just short. Holmes led-off that inning, reaching on a Cal State Fullerton error. Freshman shortstop Lexi Orozco followed her, hitting the first home run of her collegiate career. The Aggie defense allowed just one more walk from the Titans, while the offense added two additional hits in the seventh inning, but a flyout ended the game.

Utah State and Cal State Fullerton finished the game with six hits apiece, but the Aggies had three errors to the Titans' one. Nightingale made the start in the circle for USU, pitching 4.1 innings before being relived by Toone. Together, the two pitchers struck out four batters and walked three. 

Titan Classic play will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 10, when the Aggies take on Louisville (2-2) at 10:30 a.m. (MT).

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.