LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (27-28, 12-11 Mountain West) lost 9-8 in eight innings to San José State (22-28, 7-16 MW) at LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field on Friday.
 
A pair of Aggies set program records in the loss as senior catcher Gabriella Jimenez became the sole owner of the USU single-season home run record after recording her 14th bomb of the year. Senior shortstop Lexi Orozco also recorded a homer on Friday to mark the 39th of her career, tying the all-time Utah State record.
 
Senior right fielder Bri Lerma continues to add to her hit by pitch single-season USU record as she was hit by her 15th pitch of 2022.
 
Junior center fielder Mazie Macfarlane recorded a lead-off single in the top of the first before stealing her 21st base of the season. Jimenez then stepped up to the plate and hit her record-setting home run to left field to give USU the 2-0 lead.
 
A solo SJSU homer in the top of the third trimmed the Aggie margin to 2-1.
 
USU responded in the bottom of the frame as Macfarlane doubled to left center, Jimenez drew a walk and Orozco hit her program record-tying three-run blast to right center to extend the advantage to 5-1.
 
The Spartans came out hot in the top of the fourth as San José State scored seven runs to take an 8-5 lead.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Orozco drew a walk and freshman Claire Raley entered the game as a pinch runner for the shortstop. Raley stole second and scored on an RBI single from sophomore second baseman Zaia Castruita to trim the Spartan edge to 8-6.
 
Junior Tyler Thornton entered the game as a pinch runner in the bottom of the sixth inning after Lerma singled up the middle. Two at-bats later, freshman pinch hitter Giselle Gonzalez recorded her first career home run with a two-run blast to center field to tie the game at 8-8.
 
Utah State retired the San José State batters in order in the top of the seventh. Junior first baseman Makenzie Macfarlane drew a walk in the bottom of the frame, but she would be the only Aggie to get on base.
 
SJSU scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth and held on for the 9-8 win.

Freshman Mia Reynolds made the start in the circle for the Aggies, recording four strikeouts and five walks in her 3.1 innings pitched. She was relieved by junior Alyssa Millemon, who struck out three Spartan batters and walked one in her 4.2 innings of work.

Utah State concludes its 2022 season by taking on San José State on Saturday, May 14, at 11 a.m. The game will also serve as USU's Senior Day as the Aggies honor their six seniors: Jimenez, Lerma, Orozco, Sydnee Smith, Emily Tidd and Kapri Toone.
 
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 -