LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (13-27, 3-15 MW) opened its final week of the season Sunday, splitting a pair of games against Dixie State. The Trailblazers took the first game of the day, 5-1, but the Aggies bounced back to win the second, 3-2. 

GAME ONE
After back-to-back 1-2-3 innings against the Dixie State offense, the Trailblazers broke open the hitting game. Two singles started the inning, with a third coming after the first out. A home run followed, clearing the bases and giving DSU the 4-0 lead. 

The Aggies were able to break through and get on the board in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, junior shortstop Lexi Orozco drew the first walk of the game on either side. A sharply hit ball down the right field line from senior outfielder Kayla Fielder stayed just fair, giving her a double and sending Orozco home. 

Dixie State added to its lead in the top of the seventh. After a single and a double, another base hit drove a run across. USU then made a pitching change, retiring the next two batters to get out of the half-inning. 

Senior Delaney Hull pitched the majority of the first game, finishing with three strikeouts. Junior Kapri Toone threw the final two outs, including a strikeout. 

GAME TWO
Things jumped out to a quick start in the second game, as the Aggies worked through the Dixie State lineup in four pitches. The speed followed USU to the bottom of the inning, where Reed took the first pitch for a home run to left field. 

After the Aggies were retired in order in the second inning, the third had a familiar start to it as Reed hit another lead-off home run. Utah State got two additional runners on base that inning, but a double play ended it. The Trailblazers were able to cut into the USU lead in the top of the fourth, plating a run on a single to center field before leaving two runners stranded. 

Reed delivered her third hit of the game with a single in the fifth. She then stole second and took third on the Trailblazer throw, where she was then able to score on a single from freshman second baseman Zaia Castruita. The Aggie defense held the Trailblazers until the top of the seventh. Dixie State hit lead-off single accompanied by an Aggie throwing error. After one out, a pinch-hit double sent a run home. The Trailblazers got the tying run on base on a walk, but Toone ended the game on a strikeout. 

Toone pitched the complete game, earning the win while striking out four batters and walking one. 

Utah State stays home to close the week and the 2021 season. The Aggies welcome BYU for a single game at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11. The team will then host New Mexico for a three-game series, taking on the Lobos in two games on Friday, May 14 and a single game on Saturday, May 15. 

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.