SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Utah State softball wrapped up the tournament portion of its season on a high note Saturday, as it closed the Silicon Valley Classic II with a pair of wins over Saint Francis (3-2) and Santa Clara (12-5). 

The Aggies end their preseason slate with a 13-11 record, the best tournament performance since the 2017 season, when the team went 16-5 before starting conference play. 

GAME ONE
Utah State had to fight a slight deficit in the first game of the day, as Saint Francis brought a run around in the top of the third inning. The Red Flash hit a lead-off triple, followed by a double to score. Utah State responded in the bottom of the fourth, taking the lead. Freshman catcher Makenzie Macfarlane led off with a single up the middle. Sophomore shortstop Lexi Orozco had to be patient through her at-bat, but it paid off as she took the ninth pitch for a home run to left field.  

Saint Francis tied the score in the top of the fifth, plating a run on a pair of singles. The Aggies were quick to answer though, taking the lead back in the bottom of the inning. Freshman designated player Tyler Thornton was hit by the first pitch of the half-inning, while junior outfielder Stephanie Reed singled up the middle. Senior outfielder Riley Plogger reached on a fielder's choice, with the out made at third just in time. Makenzie Macfarlane also hit into a fielder's choice, but the throw was missed at third, sending all runners another base resulting in a run for Reed. 

The Aggies added one more single in the bottom of the sixth. The USU defense retired the Red Flash in order in the final two innings, with sophomore Kapri Toone ending the game on her 10th strikeout. 

Toone pitched the complete game, picking up her seventh win of the season and recording a career-best 10 strikeouts. Utah State tallied seven hits in the game, while not committing any errors. Saint Francis had six hits and one error. 

GAME TWO
Utah State and Santa Clara moved quickly through the first three innings. Sophomore first baseman Gabriella Jimenez put the Aggies on the board first with a solo home run in the second inning, the only hit for the team in the early frames. The Broncos were unable to answer until the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back doubles brought the tying run across, while a single combined with a USU fielding error gave Santa Clara the lead. 

Things got a little more wild in the fifth inning, as the two teams exploded to score a combined nine runs. The Aggies opened the inning with three consecutive singles, where sophomore designated player Bri Lerma was hit by a pitch to send a run home. The Broncos got the first out on a fielder's choice at the plate, but Reed followed with a single to score senior second baseman Allanah Alvarado. Plogger added a sac fly to send Lerma home, before freshman outfielder Mazie Macfarlane cleared the bases with a three-run home run. Santa Clara made a pitching change as the Aggies took the 7-2 lead, ending the half-inning on the next at-bat.

In the bottom of the inning, Santa Clara was able to get three runs back. The Broncos hit two singles in the first three at-bats, followed by a sac bunt. A double to left center sent two runs home, while a Utah State error allowed another. At the end of the inning, Utah State was holding on to the 7-5 lead.

After another quick inning in the sixth, the Utah State offense surged ahead again in the seventh. With one out, Thornton was hit by a pitch, followed by a single from Reed. Plogger drew a walk to load the bases, where a single from Mazie Macfarlane sent Thornton and home. Orozco added a single next, with Plogger scoring on the hit. An error by the Santa Clara shortstop extended the play, sending Orozco to second and Macfarlane to the plate. The Aggies added one last hit and run off a double from Jimenez before two pinch-hit outs. 

Santa Clara tried to make one last comeback in the bottom of the inning adding a pair of singles, but a final groundout back to the pitcher ended the game. 

Coming off her strong performance against Saint Francis, Toone remained in the circle to start the game against Santa Clara. She threw five innings to earn the win before being relieved by junior Delaney Hull who picked up her second save of the season. Together the pair struck out three batters and did not allow any walks. Utah State finished the day with 11 hits and two errors, while the Broncos recorded 10 hits and two errors. 

Utah State opens the head-to-head portion of its season next week, playing a home and home series with Utah Valley. The Aggies and Wolverines will meet in Orem on Friday, March 13, at 2 p.m., then in Logan on Sunday, March 15, at 1 p.m. The team will then begin Mountain West competition in a three-game series at New Mexico, March 20-22. 

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.