ST. GEORGE, Utah – Utah State softball (5-8) wrapped up play at the Dixie State Tournament Saturday, posting a pair of shutout wins. The Aggies defeated in-state rival Weber State, 2-0, then recorded an 8-0 five-inning victory over Northern Colorado. 

GAME ONE
Utah State got runners on base in the second and fourth innings, but were not able to put things together to score until the top of the fifth. That inning, sophomore second baseman Tyler Thornton led off with a single to center, taking second on a groundout. Back-to-back singles from senior outfielder Stephanie Reed and junior catcher/first baseman Gabriella Jimenez gave Thornton the time she needed to run home. 

The Aggies extended their lead in the seventh inning. Senior outfielder Kayla Fielder opened the inning with a single up the middle, influencing a Weber State pitching change. Reed then reached on an error, while junior shortstop Lexi Orozco loaded the bases on a base hit. A fielder's choice play was made at third, sending Fielder home to score. 

Defensively, Utah State held the Wildcats to four hits and retired them in order in three consecutive innings. Weber State had two hits in the seventh, including a double, but a groundout ended the game. 

Senior Delaney Hull pitched the complete game, striking out two batters and walking another two. 

GAME TWO
Utah State got the scoring started early in the game against Northern Colorado. After a lead-off out, senior designated player Leah Molina hit a double down the left field line. Jimenez followed with a home run to left field. The Aggies added one more single before the end of the inning. 

USU had multiple baserunners in the second and third inning, but it wasn't until the fourth that the bats came alive and added to the score. Freshman third baseman Zaia Castruita opened the inning with a single up the middle, but was out when junior outfielder Sydnee Smith hit into a fielder's choice. Thornton followed with a home run to put the Aggies up 4-0. Utah State added back-to-back singles then from Fielder and Molina, with Orozco following with a home run to right field. The Bears made a pitching change, but the Aggies added a walk and a single. 

Circling back to where the inning started, Castruita hit her second single to send the game-winning run home. Mazie Macfarlane scored on the hit, but the third out was made as the two remaining runners tried to go for an extra base. Northern Colorado tried to stay alive in the bottom of the inning, getting two runners into scoring position, but a strikeout from Aggie freshman Jessica Stewart ended the game. 

Stewart pitched the complete game, striking out three batters and walking two, while allowing just three hits.

Utah State will wrap-up its out-of-state non-conference slate next weekend in San Diego, Calif. The Aggies are slated to play a doubleheader at San Diego on Friday, March 5, beginning at 4 p.m. (MT). The following day, USU will play two games at UC San Diego, with first pitch set for 11 a.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.