RENO, Nev. – Utah State softball (10-14, 2-4 MW) split its final day of games against Nevada (16-9, 7-2 MW) Friday, winning the first contest, 6-3, but dropping the second, 7-6.

GAME ONE
Utah State started the game with a hit, but a double play ended the first half-inning. Nevada got things started offensively in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run before any outs were made. A sac fly then gave the Wolf Pack the lead at the end of the first. 

The Aggies responded well, scoring a pair of runs in the second. Senior third baseman Kennedy Hira opened the inning with a double, while freshman second baseman Zaia Castruita was walked. A groundout advanced both runners, where Hira was then able to score on a single from sophomore catcher Makenzie Macfarlane. After the second out, senior outfielder Kayla Fielder singled to center, sending Castruita home. 

While the USU defense retired eight straight batters, the offense was able to take the lead. Junior first baseman Gabriella Jimenez led off the third inning with a single, while Hira reached on a Wolf Pack error. With just one out on the board, Castruita was walked, loading the bases. Sophomore outfielder Mazie Macfarlane singled through the left side, scoring Jimenez and forcing a Nevada pitching change. Makenzie Macfarlane followed with a single to center field, driving in another two runs to give the Aggies a 5-2 lead. 

Nevada cut into USU's lead with a single run in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on two singles and a hit-by-pitch. Utah State answered with a run in the top of the sixth. Junior designated player Emily Tidd and Fielder opened the inning with back-to-back singles with Libbie Hawker and Leah Molina running for each batter, respectively. After one out, Jimenez singled to right field, while all runners advanced another base an on error in right field and Hawker scored. Both teams got one more runner on base, but neither scored, giving the Aggies the win in the first game of the day. 

Freshman Jessica Stewart pitched the complete game for the Aggies, striking out four batters and walking one. She allowed eight hits in the game, while the USU offense accounted for 10 hits. 

GAME TWO
Utah State jumped out to a quick lead in the second game of the day. Thought Nevada made the lead-off out, Jimenez and Orozco followed with singles. Hira then came up big with a home run over left field to clear the bases. The Wolf Pack answered in the bottom of the inning, though, tying the score on four hits and a walk. 

After a quiet second inning, the Aggies took the lead again in the top of the third. Back at the top of the order, Reed, Jimenez and Orozco came up with three-straight solo home runs. The Aggies added one more hit after a pitching change, but did not get anyone else across. Nevada pulled back within a run in the bottom of the inning. With two out and one on base, a single paired with a USU error in right field to send one run in. A double followed, driving in a second run and pushing the Aggies to make a pitching change.

Things moved along quickly in the next three innings, before Nevada hit a single then delivered the walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh.

Senior Delaney Hull made the start in the circle for the Aggies in the second game, pitching 2.2 innings. She was relieved by junior Kapri Toone, with the pair striking out four batters and walking one. USU allowed 10 hits off the Wolf Pack while recording eight of its own.  

Utah State returns to action next week with four games. The Aggies will play at BYU on Tuesday, April 6, then host UNLV for a three-game conference series. USU and UNLV will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 10, starting at noon. The third game is set to begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 11. 

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.