SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Utah State softball (8-9) wrapped up its weekend of competition Saturday, posting a pair of wins at UC San Diego. The Aggies won the first game, 5-1, followed by an eight-inning 5-3 victory. 

GAME ONE
Utah State got started early once again in the first game against UC San Diego. Senior outfielder Kayla Fielder drew a lead-off walk, stealing second on the next at-bat. Junior first baseman/catcher Gabriella Jimenez reached on a Triton error, sending Fielder to third. Another error drove both runners home while putting freshman third baseman Zaia Castruita on first. 

Back at the top of the order in the third, the Aggies added to their lead. With two outs on the board, Jimenez singled up the middle. Junior outfielder Lexi Orozco doubled to right center, scoring Jimenez from first. The Tritons cut into USU's lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run after a double and two groundouts. 

Utah State got back into it offensively in the sixth inning, bringing another two runs across. Sophomore catcher/first baseman Makenzie Macfarlane singled on her first pitch, with senior Leah Molina entering to run for her. Junior outfielder Emily Tidd followed with a single, where freshman Cheyenne Chavez came in as a pinch runner. Sophomore third baseman Tyler Thornton batted into a fielder's choice, with Molina out on the play. Senior Kennedy Hira then entered to pinch hit, blasting a double to clear the bases and put USU up 5-1. 

UC San Diego made one last push in the bottom of the seventh, getting two runners on through a double and an error. The Aggies kept any further runs from scoring and ended the game on a groundout to Orozco. 

Freshman Jessica Stewart pitched the complete game for Utah State, striking out four batters without giving up a walk. 

GAME TWO
Returning to the field after a 30-minute break, the second game of the day had a bit of a slower start. The Aggies got a walk in both the first and second innings, but didn't record a hit until the fourth. After a lead-off walk from Jimenez, Castruita doubled to right center. A single from Tidd followed, driving both Jimenez and Castruita home  to put USU on the board. 

The Aggie defense retired eight-straight Triton batters from the third to the sixth inning. UCSD found a way to break through though, ending that streak with three-straight hits. A single put a runner on, then back-to-back doubles tied the score at two-all. After USU made a pitching change, UC San Diego got runners to second and third, but a pop-up to shallow right ended the inning. Utah State was retired in order in the seventh while UCSD got a double but couldn't score, sending the game to extra innings. 

Utah State opened the eighth with a pair of hits, as Hira and Fielder delivered back-to-back singles. After one out, Jimenez came up big with her first home run of the weekend, clearing the bases and giving the Aggies the 5-2 advantage. The Tritons picked up one single in the bottom of the inning, but could not get a run across. 

Junior Kapri Toone started the game in the circle for Utah State, throwing 5.1 innings before being relieved by Stewart. Toone struck out three batters and walked two, while Stewart had one strikeout and one walk. 

Utah State has a break next week, returning to action on Saturday, March 20. The Aggies will open Mountain West play at Colorado State with a doubleheader starting at noon. The series will conclude on Sunday, March 21, 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.

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