FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Utah State softball wrapped up its weekend series at Colorado State Sunday, falling to the Rams, 8-4. 

The Aggies were led by junior outfielder Riley Plogger, who went 3-for-4 at the plate. Plogger finished the game a triple shy of the cycle, as she started the game with a home run, later adding a double and a single. 

With the loss, Utah State ends the weekend with an 11-17 overall record, including a 2-6 Mountain West ledger. Colorado State moves to 27-4 overall and 9-0 in conference play with the win.

Utah State opened the game on a high note, as Plogger hit a lead-off home run. Unfortunately, Colorado State also had a strong start and scored all right of its runs in the home half of the first inning. The Rams bats started off hot, as they put together seven hits, including two doubles and a three-run home run. 

Over the course of the game, the Aggies chipped away at the CSU lead, while keeping the Rams from scoring any additional runs. Senior first baseman Bailee Trapp continued her strong weekend with a lead-off home run in the fourth inning. In the fifth, Plogger opened the inning with a double, advancing to third on a single from sophomore outfielder Stephanie Reed. She then scored on a groundout play to make it an 8-3 game. 

Trapp was hit by a pitch to start the sixth inning, where pinch runner Emery Marshall scored on a pinch-hit double from freshman Gabriella Jimenez. The Aggie defense didn't allow a hit from the Rams in the bottom of the inning, but the offense was retired in order in the top of the seventh, ending the game. 

In all, Colorado State had 12 hits to Utah State's nine, and both teams came away without any errors. Freshman pitcher Kapri Toone started the game for the Aggies, but was relieved by freshman Chloe Nightingale after two outs in the first inning. Nightingale had one strikeout, while the pair walked four batters. 

Next week, Utah State will play a regional midweek game at Idaho State, taking on the Bengals on Wednesday, April 3, at 3 p.m. The Aggies will then return home to host New Mexico for a three-game mountain West series. USU and the Lobos will open the weekend on Friday, April 5, at 4 p.m. The two teams will also play at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, before wrapping up the series on Sunday, April 7, at noon. 

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.