ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Utah State softball (15-15, 2-0 MW) scored three runs in the top of the seventh to come away with the 4-2 victory at New Mexico (20-11, 1-4 MW) on Saturday.
 
Seven Aggies registered a hit in the win, while senior catcher Gabriella Jimenez led USU with two RBIs.
 
Both teams scored one run in the first inning. Junior center fielder Mazie Macfarlane got things started for the Aggies after reaching on an error and advancing to second before taking third on a wild pitch. Jimenez brough Macfarlane home with a single up the middle.
 
The game stayed knotted at 1-each until New Mexico scored one more run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 edge.
 
Trailing by one in the top of the seventh, the Aggie offense loaded the bases with zero outs. Senior right fielder Bri Lerma started things off with a single to right center, with sophomore Libbie Hawker entering the game as a pinch runner. Senior designated player Emily Tidd followed suit with a single to center field and senior Sydnee Smith came in as a pinch runner for Tidd. Freshman left fielder Claire Raley was then hit by a pitch to load the bases.
 
Freshman third baseman Claudia Medina singled to center field to bring home Hawker and Smith scored on a New Mexico error. Jimenez brought home Raley on the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly to extend USU's lead to 4-2.
 
The Lobos had runners on first and second in the bottom of the frame, but a lineout to sophomore Zaia Castruita at second base ended the UNM threat as USU won 4-2.
 
Freshman Mia Reynolds made the start in the circle for the Aggies, recording one strikeout in her 3.2 innings of work. She was relieved by senior Kapri Toone in the bottom of the fourth as Toone recorded the final out of the frame. Toone was later relieved by sophomore Jessica Stewart in the bottom of the fifth as Stewart registered the final two outs of the inning. Stewart earned her fifth win of the 2022 campaign after striking out two Lobo batters and walking one in her 2.2 inning pitched.
 
Utah State and New Mexico wrap up the three-game series on Sunday, March 27, at noon.
 
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.
 
– USU –