ST. GEORGE, Utah – Utah State softball (3-5) scored three runs in the fifth and sixth inning but fell short in its comeback as the Aggies lost 5-4 to Dixie State (2-6) in St. George, Utah, on Sunday.
 
Junior center fielder Mazie Macfarlane led the Aggies with two runs as she drew three walks and singled in the top of the third.
 
Macfarlane opened the scoring for the Aggies in the top of the first after drawing a walk before advancing to third after senior catcher Gabriella Jimenez singled to right field. Macfarlane then scored on a Trailblazer throwing error as Jimenez stole second and also advanced to third on the error. Jimenez's attempt at the next 60 feet was thwarted as USU struck out swinging in the next at bat.
 
Dixie State countered in the bottom of the third, recording five runs on five hits and one USU error to take a 5-1 advantage.
 
Utah State chipped away at the Dixie State lead in the top of the fifth as the Aggies scored two runs to trim the Trailblazer edge to 5-3. Macfarlane drew a walk in the frame and advanced to second after Jimenez singled to right field. Macfarlane then stole third and scored on a wild pitch. With runners on first and second, senior right fielder Sydnee Smith singled up the middle to score Jimenez from second. The USU run was stifled following a Dixie State pitching change as the Aggies grounded out and struck out swinging to end the top of the inning.
 
USU loaded the bases in the top of the sixth after freshman left fielder Claire Raley and freshman second baseman Ariel Lopez recorded back-to-back singles and Macfarlane walked. Jimenez registered an RBI with a ground out to shortstop to plate Raley and cut the lead to 5-4. The top of the frame came to an end on the next at bat as freshman designated player Taryn Edds flied out to right.
 
USU was unable to complete the comeback as the Aggies went down in order in the top of the seventh and Dixie State took the 5-4 win.
 
Senior Kapri Toone made the start for the Aggies in the circle, posting three walks in her 2.0 innings pitched. She was relieved by junior Nya Laing who pitched for 4.0 innings, recording two strikeouts and one walk.
 
Utah State next travels to Santa Clara, California, to compete in the Silicon Valley Classic I from Friday, Feb. 25, to Sunday, Feb. 27. 
 
For more information on the Utah State softball program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUSoftball, on Facebook at USUSoftball and on Instagram at ususoftball. 
 
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