SAN JOSE, Calif. – Utah State softball (12-25, 3-14 MW) opened its final road series of the 2021 season Saturday, dropping two games to San José State. The Spartans walked off both victories, defeating the Aggies, 7-6, to start the day, followed by a 2-1 nine-inning win. 

GAME ONE
Utah State jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in its first trip to the plate. After a lead-off out, senior designated player Leah Molina singled back to the pitcher. Freshman second baseman Zaia Castruita followed with a single of her own, but a Spartan fielding error sent her to second and drove Molina home. Sophomore first baseman Makenzie Macfarlane walked, then she and Castruita both advanced on a wild pitch. Castruita then scored on a single from senior third baseman Kennedy Hira.

The Aggies' lead didn't last long, however, as the Spartans bounced back to tie the score in the bottom of the inning. With two outs on the board, a double sent the first run across. SJSU then loaded the bases on a USU error and a walk, with a single then driving another run home. 

After a 40-minute first inning, the teams worked through the next three innings in the same amount of time. SJSU was able to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth. After a lead-off single, the runner stole second, took third on a sac bunt and score on a sac fly. Utah State responded quickly in the next half-inning, using two Spartan errors and a sac bunt to tie the score back up. 

The Aggies first chance to strike again came in the top of the sixth. Castruita hit a lead-off triple, while Hira was hit by a pitch. Freshman pinch runner Libbie Hawker made it to second, but both runners were left on base. The Spartans regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, plating a run on a walk and a double. 

Utah State then took the lead in the seventh inning. Junior shortstop Lexi Orozco led off with a double down the left field line. A sac bunt then sent pinch runner Sydnee Smith to third. A single from senior outfielder Stephanie Reed sent Smith to the plate, while a triple from Molina scored Reed. Not quite done, Castruita hit a sac fly to drive Molina home, putting USU up 6-4. 

Unfortunately for the Aggies, the Spartans found one more burst of energy in the bottom of the inning. SJSU opened its trip to the plate with a walk and a single. A pinch-hit single then put the Spartans within a run, while the tying run came in on a Utah State error. They then walked off the game as the winning run came in on a wild pitch. 

Junior Kapri Toone started the game in the circle for the Aggies, throwing six complete innings, while senior Delaney Hull entered to close the game. The pair struck out four batters and walked five, combining to allow 10 hits. 

GAME TWO
The second game of the day saw a drastic change of pace. While the Aggies did get a hit in the top of the first, the Spartans were first to score, using two singles and a hit-by-pitch to bring a run across in the bottom of the inning. 

Utah State added two singles in the second inning, but then saw just one additional base runner until the seventh. Meanwhile, the Spartans got at least one runner on in all but one inning, two of which made it to scoring position, but the Aggie defense held them from scoring. 

Down to what could have been the final pitch of the game, USU tied the score in the top of the seventh. With one out, Hira doubled to left field. With Smith in to run, Mazie Macfarlane drove a single up the middle. Smith took off for home, where the SJSU catcher was called for obstruction, securing the run for the Aggies. 

Molina reached base again for Utah State in the eighth, but she was the only runner in extra innings. The Spartans opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, with the runner making it to third on two groundouts. A single through the left side then sent the winning run home. 

Freshman Jessica Stewart pitched the complete game for USU, both striking out and walking four batters while allowing five hits. 

Utah State and San José State will conclude the series on Sunday, May 2, in a 1 p.m. (MT) game. 

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.