LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball opened its home slate in a doubleheader against UNLV Saturday, splitting the pair of games with the Rebels. UNLV won the first game of the day, 12-0, in five innings, but the Aggies fought back to take the second game, 4-3. 

With the split, Utah State holds an 11-14 record on the season, including a 2-3 Mountain West ledger. UNLV ends the day with a 22-7 record, including 3-2 in conference play.

UNLV came out swinging in the first game of the day, dominating the Aggies on both sides. The Rebels scored in four of the five innings played, holding Utah State to just two hits. UNLV finished the game with two doubles, one triple and two home runs among its 13 hits. USU freshman shortstop Lexi Orozco was the batter for both Aggie hits with a double and a single in her two at-bats. 

After a quick break, the Aggies returned to the field to take the second game. The USU defense held the Rebels early on, retiring the side in the first two innings. UNLV was first to score, however, combining a pair of singles for a run in the top of the third. Utah State answered to tie the score in the bottom of the fourth. Senior first baseman Bailee Trapp hit a lead-off double, later switching spots with junior outfielder Ryann Holmes who added a double of her own. 

As rain started to fall, UNLV took the lead back in the top of the fifth. With runners on second and third after two walks and a wild pitch, a single to left field brought both players across the plate. The Aggies were once again ready to answer, plating three runs in the bottom of the inning to take the final lead. Junior outfielder Riley Plogger drew a walk to open the Aggie half of the inning, followed by back-to-back singles from sophomore outfielder Stephanie Reed and freshman second baseman Kenzie Bolin. Orozco then hit her second double of the day, pushing two runs in. When UNLV tried to make the out at the plate, an error by the catcher allowed Orozco to advance to third and another run to score. 

After an empty sixth inning, the Utah State defense looked to hold the Rebels through the top of the seventh. With a runner in scoring position, UNLV delivered a single. The Aggies went to make the out at first, but realizing the runner was safe, Trapp quickly made the play back to catcher Bailey Lewis to make the final out of the game at the plate.  

In the game, Utah State out-hit UNLV, 7-6, while both teams had one error. Freshman Kapri Toone pitched the complete game in the win, striking out five batters and walking five. 

Utah State and UNLV are set to conclude the series on Sunday, March 24, at noon. Any weather-related changes will be announced on utahstateaggies.com and on the USU softball social media pages. 

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.