LOGAN, Utah – For the second game in a row, Utah State softball battled back to avoid a run-rule loss, but ultimately fell to Fresno State, 11-6, in Thursday's series opener.

Freshman shortstop Lexi Orozco continued her hot streak at the plate Friday, hitting her 11th home run of the season. That hit moved her to fourth place on the single-season home record list, while making her the single-season record holder for freshmen in USU history. The hit was Orozco's second grand slam of the season, making her the first player in program history to hit multiple grand slams in the same season. 

With the loss, Utah State falls to 13-23 on the season, including a 4-11 Mountain West ledger. Fresno State improves to 28-14 overall and 6-7 in conference play.

Fresno State quickly took command of the game, jumping out to a 10-0 lead. The Bulldogs scored in four of the first five innings, including five runs in the top of the third. A double and a three-run homer put Fresno State up eight on the Aggies, while it added back-to-back home runs in the fifth. 

All six of Utah State's runs came in the bottom of the fifth inning, where the Aggies were able to evade the run-rule and keep the game going. Freshman outfielder Hannah Sisul and junior outfielder Riley Plogger led off with back-to-back singles, while sophomore outfielder Stephanie Reed was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A single from freshman second baseman Kenzie Bolin brought in USU's first run. Orozco then cleared the bases with her second grand slam of the season. Fresno State made a pitching change then, and was able to record the first two outs of the inning. Junior designated player Allanah Alvarado then delivered a solo home run off the scoreboard to make it a 10-6 game before the final out was made. 

Fresno State added one last insurance run in the top of the seventh, but the Aggies avoided further damage, despite the bases being loaded for the majority of the inning. Utah State got two runners on base in the home half of the seventh, but a pair of strikeouts ended the game. 

In all, Fresno State out-hit Utah State, 13-8. The Aggies had two errors in the game, while the Bulldogs made one. Sophomore pitcher Delaney Hull started and closed the game for the Aggies, while freshman Chloe Nightingale threw 2.2 innings in the middle of the contest. 

The Aggies look to bounce back against the Bulldogs as the teams continue the series on Friday, April 19, at 4 p.m. The weekend will conclude on Saturday, April 20, 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.