FULLERTON, Calif. – Utah State softball played a doubleheader at the Titan Classic Saturday, splitting the two contests. The Aggies defeated Loyola Marymount, 7-4, before falling to host-Cal State Fullerton, 6-2.

GAME ONE
Utah State got its lead-off batter on base in each of the first two innings, but Loyola Marymount turned double plays in each. The Lions were first to score, hitting a lead-off home run in the bottom of the third. 

Things really got rolling in the fifth inning, where the Aggies scored all seven of their runs. Freshman catcher Makenzie Macfarlane opened the inning with a double down the right field line. Junior third baseman Kennedy Hira followed with a double of her own to bring the run home and tie the game. Loyola Marymount made its first pitching change then, but the Aggies loaded the bases. Hira took third on a wild pitch, while sophomore first baseman Gabriella Jimenez was hit by a pitch and senior second baseman Allanah Alvarado was walked. Junior Leah Molina was brought in to run, while the Lions switched pitchers again. 

The Aggies took the lead on a couple of free runs. With the bases loaded, junior designated player Kayla Fielder was walked, and junior outfielder Stephanie Reed was hit by a pitch. Senior outfielder Riley Plogger grounded out, but drove Molina home on the play. Sophomore shortstop Lexi Orozco then reached on an error while Fielder scored. The final two runs of the inning came in on a deep single from freshman outfielder Mazie Macfarlane. Working back through the order, Makenzie Macfarlane added another double. LMU made one more pitching change, striking out Hira to end the inning. 

Loyola Marymount chipped away at USU's lead, but was unable to catch the Aggies. The Lions scored on a sac fly in the bottom of the fifth, then added a two-run double in the sixth. Utah State batters were retired in order over the final two innings. 

Redshirt senior pitcher Alissa Noble threw the complete game for Utah State, striking out five batters while walking one. The Aggies and Lions finished the game with five hits and two errors apiece. 

GAME TWO
Just like the first game, Reed gave the Aggies a lead-off single to start the game against Cal State Fullerton, but she was left on base. The Titans had a strong start in the bottom of the inning, quickly taking a 2-0 lead on a bases-loaded double. 

Utah State went on to have its first batter reach base in each inning of the game, but wasn't able to capitalize on that until the fifth inning. The Aggies loaded the bases before any outs were made, as Reed singled, Plogger doubled and Orozco walked. A groundout from Makenzie Macfarlane brought Reed home to score USU's sole run of the game. 

Cal State Fullerton took advantage of Utah State errors to get runners on base in the second, fifth and sixth innings, with each of those runners eventually coming around to score. A double in the bottom of the sixth gave the Titans the 6-1 advantage. 

Utah State loaded the bases in the top of the seventh on two walks and a single. With two outs and an 0-2 count Jimenez then drove in a run with a single through the right side. The comeback stopped there though, as the game ended on a foul out on the first base side. 

Junior Delaney Hull pitched the full game for the Aggies, striking out five batters and walking three. USU finished the game with six hits and four errors, while Cal State Fullerton had eight hits and one error. 

Action from the Titan Classic will conclude Sunday, when the Aggies take on UC Riverside at 10 a.m. (MT).

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.