LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (22-18, 8-3 Mountain West) scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the 6-5 victory over Nevada (13-29, 3-11 MW) at LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field on Friday.
 
"It was tough last night, obviously, with taking that loss," head coach Steve Johnson said. "But, through the six innings we played extremely well. We hit the ball, and that's something we hadn't been doing through a few games. So, we just had to keep building on that.
 
"I knew we had a chance there with the top of our order leading off in the seventh. That's where you want to be. They just did a good job of sticking together, putting it together, taking advantage of a few mistakes and executing when called upon."
 
The Aggies were back at the top of the order as they trailed by three runs heading into the bottom of the seventh. Junior center fielder Mazie Macfarlane and freshman shortstop Ariel Lopez recorded back-to-back singles, with Mazie Macfarlane scoring on a Wolf Pack error. Senior catcher Gabriella Jimenez then evened things up at 5-each with a two-run bomb out of left center.
 
"It honestly felt great," Jimenez said. "I was mad before, I'm not going to lie, because of a call, but I didn't let that dictate my whole at-bat. If I did, I probably wouldn't have had the outcome I would've wanted. I stuck with it and took that mad out on the ball."
 
Sophomore second baseman Zaia Castruita doubled to right field and junior Tyler Thornton came in as a pinch runner for Castruita. Junior first baseman Makenzie Macfarlane advanced Thornton to third with a sacrifice bunt, while senior right fielder Bri Lerma and senior designated player Emily Tidd were both intentionally walked to load the bases.
 
Freshman Taryn Edds then stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter, sending a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home the game-winning run in Thornton as USU earned the 6-5 walk-off victory.
 
Utah State put the first lights on the board when Makenzie Macfarlane logged a triple down the right field line before scoring on an RBI single to right center from Lerma in the bottom of the second.
 
Nevada scored four runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead.
 
The Aggies cut the margin to 4-2 in the bottom of the frame after Mazie Macfarlane singled to shortstop and advanced to second on a Wolf Pack error. Jimenez scored Mazie Macfarlane with a double up the middle.
 
The Wolf Pack then extended the lead to 5-2 in the top of the sixth before Utah State made its game-winning rally.
 
Freshman Mia Reynolds made the start in the circle for the Aggies, striking out four batters and walking three in her 5.0 innings of work. Senior Kapri Toone relieved Reynolds to earn her ninth win of the season, as Toone stuck out one batter in her 2.0 innings pitched.
 
The Aggies and Wolf Pack conclude their three-game series on Saturday, April 16, 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 –