FULLERTON, Calif. – Utah State softball (0-4) wrapped up play at the Easton Invitational Saturday, falling to Oregon State, 6-0, and Cal State Fullerton, 4-3.
GAME ONE
Utah State struggled to get any offense going against Oregon State, as the Beavers picked up their first no-hitter of the season. Aggie junior shortstop Lexi Orozco ended the bid for a perfect game with a walk in the bottom of the fourth, but she would end up being the only baserunner of the contest for USU.
Oregon State started scoring in the top of the third, with runners on from a double and a single. With two outs, a USU error in right field allowed both runners to get home. The Beavers went on to add a solo home run in the fifth inning. OSU opened the seventh inning with a single, a double and a triple, with two runs scoring on those plays.
Freshman Jessica Stewart was the starting pitcher for Utah State, working through six innings before she was relieved by senior Delaney Hull. Stewart walked on batter and struck out another four in the loss.
GAME TWO
Returning to the field after a short break and quickly found a bit of the offense that was missing in the first game of the day. Orozco recorded a hit for USU in the top of the first with a single through the right side. Cal State Fullerton loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but a line drive to Orozco got the Aggies out of the jam.
Things continued to go well for the Aggies in the second, as sophomore outfielder Mazie Macfarlane led off with a double. Junior outfielders Sydnee Smith and Emily Tidd followed with walks, loading the bases with just one out. Junior first baseman Gabriella Jimenez kept things interesting, working the count full before she was also walked, bringing a run home for the Aggies.
Both teams settled in through the middle of the game, before Cal State Fullerton found an offensive surge in the bottom of the fourth. After a lead-off double, the batter advanced to third on a groundout. A single followed, sending her home and tying the score. The Titans got one more runner as far as third, but batters were left on the corners at the end of the inning.
Utah State took the lead back quickly, responding in the top of the fifth. Sophomore second baseman Tyler Thornton opened the inning with a single, then taking second on a Titan error. Senior outfielder Kayla Fielder drove in the go-ahead run, with a perfect drop hit in left field. The Aggies went on to load the bases again that inning, but a fielder's choice made the final out before another run could come across.
Cal State Fullerton battled through its first at-bats in the bottom of the fifth inning. After a lead-off single, a home run to center field gave the Titans their first lead of the game. A second home run followed two batters later, extending the lead to two runs before the end of the inning.
The Aggies got two runners on base in the sixth through a walk and a single, both after two outs had been made, but they were left stranded. The team then made one last valiant push in the seventh, pulling back within one run. Orozco singled to the shortstop, with Leah Molina entering to pinch run. Mazie Macfarlane then hit into a fielder's choice, with Molina advancing on an error. After two outs, Smith added a single down the right field line, sending Molina home. Unfortunately, the game came to an end on the next at-bat.
Junior Kapri Toone pitched the complete game against the Titans, striking out one batter and walking two.
Utah State returns to tournament action next week at the Dixie State Classic in St. George, Utah. The Aggies will face three in-state opponents in BYU, Dixie State and Utah Valley, as well as Montana and No. 2 Washington. Tournament play begins on Friday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m., continuing through an 11 a.m. game on Sunday, Feb. 21.
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.
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