RENO, Nev. – Utah State softball opened conference play Friday, posting a 5-4 win at Nevada.

With the win, USU sits with a 9-11 record, including a 1-0 Mountain West ledger. Nevada falls to 13-9 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

After both sides were retired to open the game, each team plated a run in the second inning. Freshman shortstop Lexi Orozco picked up the first hit of the day with a single to third, while junior third baseman Erin Kuba was hit by a pitch. Senior first baseman Bailee Trapp drove in the run then with a double to left field. The Wolf Pack answered in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run. 

After a quiet third inning, the Aggies regained the lead in the top of the fourth. Junior outfielder Ryann Holmes led off with a home run to right field. Kuba then drew a walk, while freshman second baseman Kenzie Bolin singled to left. With two on and two out, senior catcher Bailey Lewis came up with her first home run of the season to put USU up, 5-1. 

The Nevada offense rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Wolf Pack opened the inning with a double, followed by a single to quickly put runners on the corners. After one out, another single and a double combined to bring three runs across and put Nevada within one run. The Aggies made a pitching change then, and retired the next two batters to keep their lead.

The Aggies added one more hit to their line in the top of the seventh, before ending the half-inning on a fielder's choice. In the bottom of the inning, Nevada got one runner on through a Utah State error, but a foul out-turned force out at second ended the game.

On the day, Utah State out-hit Nevada, 7-6. The Wolf Pack had three errors to the Aggies' one. Sophomore Delaney Hull made the start in the circle for USU, with freshman Kapri Toone entering in relief in the sixth inning. Hull struck out three batters and walked one before exiting the game.  

The Aggies and Wolf Pack will continue the conference-opening weekend on Saturday, March 16, at 2 p.m. (MT). The series will conclude in a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday, March 17.

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.