LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (27-27, 12-10 Mountain West) opened its series against San José State (21-28, 6-16 MW) with an 8-0 shutout victory at LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field on Thursday.
 
"It felt really good," sophomore second baseman Zaia Castruita said. "It always feels good to come out and score first. To win as a team is even better."
 
Senior catcher Gabriella Jimenez recorded her 13th home run of the season during the game to tie for first on the Utah State single-season record list. Castruita knocked the ball out of park on her first two at-bats, marking the first multiple home run game of her career.
 
"I was just playing loose, having fun and enjoying every single moment that I have with these girls on this field," Jimenez said.
 
Senior right fielder Bri Lerma continued to add to her USU single-season hit by pitch record as she was hit by a pitch in her first at-bat of the day to bring her season total to 14.
 
The Aggies took the 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a pair of solo homers from Jimenez and Castruita.
 
The duo later helped the Aggies extend the margin in the bottom of the second. After Lerma's lead-off hit by pitch, freshman third baseman Claudia Medina singled up the middle and junior center fielder Mazie Macfarlane drew a walk to load the bases. Jimenez then doubled to left center to bring the trio home. Two at-bats later, Castruita hit her second bomb of the day to give USU the 7-0 lead.
 
Junior Tyler Thornton entered the game as a pinch runner for junior Makenzie Macfarlane in the bottom of the fourth after the first baseman singled up the middle. Thornton stole second before an RBI single from Lerma brought Thornton home to give Utah State the 8-0 edge at the end of the fourth.
 
With the threat of being run-ruled, SJSU singled in its first at-bat in the top of the fifth. USU, the conference leaders in fielding double plays, recorded a 4-3 double play on the next at-bat. The Spartans would again get runner on base, but Medina made a play in foul territory to get the final out of the game as USU won 8-0.
 
Senior Kapri Toone pitched her second complete-game shutout of the season, recording three strikeouts and one walk.
 
"It was great," head coach Steve Johnson said. "We're still focused on one game at a time. Right now, we don't have a postseason, so finishing with that winning season is something we've been talking about. It's a big thing. We've had two winning seasons since '96 and that was '16 and '17. So, that's the goal. They came out motivated all week, fired up, ready to go and they took care of business."

Utah State and San José State next meet on Friday, May 13, at 4 p.m.
 
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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