FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Utah State softball put up a fight in a pair of games at Mountain West-leading Colorado State Saturday, but ultimately fell to the Rams, 11-10, and 6-3.

Utah State falls to 11-16 on the season, including a 2-5 Mountain West ledger. Colorado State extends its winning streak to 17 games, sitting with a 26-4 overall record and an 8-0 conference slate.

The first game of the series started on Friday, March 29, but rain forced an early end to the game and it picked back up on Saturday. The Aggies got runners on base early with a pair of singles in the first inning, but were not able to cross home plate. The Rams, however, jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the inning, using three hits and a pair of USU errors to score. 

One pitch was all it took for Utah State to get on the board in the second inning, as senior first baseman Bailee Trapp hit a lead-off home run. After two outs, the Aggies went on to put two runners on base on an error and a walk, where sophomore outfielder Stephanie Reed's second hit of the game brought a run in. Freshman second baseman Kenzie Bolin loaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch, while two runs scored on a Colorado State error. With Utah State down one, freshman shortstop Lexi Orozco homered to left field to bring in three runs and give the Aggies a 7-5 lead. 

After the third inning, play was suspended due to rain, and the teams picked up where they left off on Saturday afternoon. Both USU and CSU hit two-run home runs in the fourth inning, keeping the Aggies two runs ahead. Utah State extended its lead on an RBI single from Bolin in the top of the fifth, but the Rams came back in the bottom of the inning, taking and keeping the lead. Colorado State scored on three-straight at-bats, including a two-run homer, to hold the 11-10 advantage. Utah State got two more runners on base, but could not get a run across. 

In all, Utah State out-hit Colorado State, 12-10. Errors plagued both teams, as the Aggies finished the game with three and the Rams had four. All three USU pitchers saw time in the circle, with sophomore Delaney Hull making the start. Freshman Chloe Nightingale threw the majority of innings, with freshman Kapri Toone throwing the final four outs. The three pitchers walked two batters and struck out three.

After a short break, Utah State and Colorado State were back at it for the second game of the series. 

Reed earned the first hit of the game with a triple to right field. A single from Bolin followed, bringing Reed in and giving the Aggies the early advantage. USU then doubled its lead in the third inning. The Aggies loaded the bases on two walks and an error, while a third walk brought a run across. 

Defensively, USU did not allow a baserunner until the bottom of the third inning, when Toone walked three-straight batters. The Rams continued to get runners on without any hits in the fourth, doing so on a walk, an error and a hit-by-pitch. Another walk brought CSU's first run in, while a sac fly tied the score at two. Colorado State's first hit of the game came with one out in the fourth, a single to bring in a run and give the Rams the lead. After a pitching change, the Utah State defense got out of the inning without further damage.

Utah State got back in the game offensively in the fifth, opening the inning with singles from Orozco and Trapp. A fielder's choice with both runners staying safe loaded the bases before an out had been made. Senior catcher Bailey Lewis grounded out, but Orozco was able to score on the play to even the score at three. 

Colorado State took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth. The Rams led off with a solo home run, adding another after the first out. A single then combined with a stolen base and a pair of USU errors to bring a third run across. Utah State got two runners on in the top of the seventh with a walk and a fielder's choice, but a second fielder's choice ended the half-inning and the game. 

Utah State tallied six hits to Colorado State's four in the second game, while the Aggies had three errors to the Rams' two. Toone made the start in the circle for USU, with Nightingale coming in in the fourth inning. Toone re-entered in the bottom of the sixth. The two walked five batters and struck out four. 

The Aggies and Rams will conclude the weekend series in a noon game on Sunday, March 31.

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.