SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Utah State softball opened play at the Mustang Classic with a two-game sweep Friday, as the Aggies defeated Iowa State, 10-1, and Cal Poly, 4-0.

Both senior first baseman Bailee Trapp (3-of-6) and sophomore designated player Kennedy Hira (4-of-8) batted a team-high .500 on the day, with Hira hitting three doubles between the two games. The two accounted for nine of USU's 13 RBIs. 

With the two wins, Utah State has an 8-9 record on the year.

Utah State started the day on a high note, taking a quick 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Junior outfielder Riley Plogger led off with a double, and the Aggie bases were loaded after just one out. Trapp walked in the first run of the day, while a double Hira cleared the bases and forced Iowa State's first pitching change of the day. 

The Aggies came up big again in the third inning, adding another four runs to their lead. Junior third baseman was first on with a walk, while Hira hit her second double of the day to bring her home. A walk and a hit-by-pitch quickly loaded the bases and brought in another new Cyclone pitcher. Plogger drew another walk then, bringing a run across, while sophomore outfielder Stephanie Reed followed with a three-run single to give USU an 8-0 lead. Iowa State scored what would be its only run of the day in the bottom of that inning with a triple and a single.

Both teams were retired in order through the fifth and sixth innings, before the Aggies added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh. After Iowa State moved to its fourth pitcher of the game, Kuba led off with a single. Trapp followed with a home run to left field, giving USU it's 10-1 lead before the next three batters were retired. The Aggie defense retired the Cyclone side in the bottom of the inning, including two strikeouts. 

In all, Utah State out-hit Iowa State, 7-5, but the Aggies had one error in the game while the Cyclones did not. Sophomore Delaney Hull pitched the complete game, striking out a season-high seven batters and walking three. 

Returning to the field later that night to take on host-Cal Poly, the Aggies continued their winning day. USU earned two hits in the top of the first inning, but did not score until the third. With one out on the board, freshman shortstop Lexi Orozco doubled to left field, while Hira followed with a single to left center. A sac fly from Kuba brought Orozco home to put USU on the board. 

The Aggies followed the single run with a three-run inning in the fourth. Senior outfielder Mia Maher was the first to reach base, doing so on a Cal Poly error. Plogger then reached on a fielder's choice, but both runners were called safe. Another Mustang error allowed Reed to take first, with all runners advancing another base, with Maher able to score. A double from Hira then brought the other two runners home, putting the Aggies up, 4-0. 

Utah State added another four hits in the game, but held Cal Poly to two hits in all. The Aggie defense retired the Mustang side in the seventh, securing the team's second shutout of the season.

Utah State put up 10 hits in the game, holding the Mustangs to two. The Aggies had one error, while Cal Poly had two. Freshman Kapri Toone pitched her first-career complete game, tying her season high with five strikeouts and walking three batters. 

Mustang Classic play will conclude on Saturday, March 9. The Aggies will open the day against Iowa State at 11 a.m. (MT), and close the tournament against Cal Poly at 1:30 p.m.

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.