LOS ANGELES, California – Hailey McLean did not shy away from the moment in her first career appearance inside the pitching circle on Saturday afternoon.
The freshman from Sparks, Nevada, started the first three games of the 2023 season in right field before being named the game four starting pitcher to face CSU Bakersfield.
McLean pitched a complete game against CSUB, the first Aggie to do so this season, throwing 167 total pitches and an outstanding 20 strikeouts in nine innings of work. The 20 strikeouts set the program record as well as the record at UCLA's Easton Stadium. Noelle Johnson held the previous Aggie record with 16 strikeouts against Omaha on Feb. 9, 2014, while UCLA's Anjelica Selden held the previous stadium record with 18 strikeouts in 10 innings against Fresno State on Feb. 19, 2006.
Both USU games went to extra innings on Saturday as the Aggies (2-2) lost 4-3 to Loyola Marymount (1-2) in eight innings before defeating CSU Bakersfield (0-3) 3-2 in nine.
McLean struck out the 'Runners in order in both the second and fourth innings. The game was scoreless until CSUB brought home a runner in the top of the fifth. The 'Runners maintained the edge through the next two innings to take the advantage into the bottom of the seventh.
The Aggies were not about to give up as freshman right fielder
Kya Pratt opened the frame with a double to left center and later advanced to third on a ground out. Sophomore
Taryn Edds then came in to pinch hit as she singled down the left field line to score Pratt and tie the game to force extra innings.
CSU Bakersfield again took the lead in the top of the eighth with an RBI single.
Senior first baseman
Gabriella Jimenez was placed on second to start the bottom of the frame and advanced to third on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly from sophomore second baseman
Claudia Medina scored Jimenez to again even the score at 2-apiece.
The Aggies held the 'Runners scoreless in the top of the ninth. With Pratt placed on second, senior center fielder
Tyler Thornton advanced Pratt to third with a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore shortstop
Ariel Fifita then brought Pratt home with an RBI single to left field for the 3-2 Aggie victory.
Eight Aggies recorded a hit against the Roadrunners, led by Fifita with two.
Utah State opened the day with a 3-2 loss to LMU. The Aggies led early after sophomore third baseman
Claire Raley had a two-run RBI double in the bottom of the second and McLean drew a walk with bases loaded in the bottom of the third for the 3-0 USU edge.
LMU bounced back with a three-run sixth inning and secured the win with a run in the top of the eighth for the 4-3 victory.
Six Aggies had a hit against the Lions, led by Jimenez, Raley and sophomore designated player
Giselle Gonzalez with two. Raley also led the Aggies with two RBIs.
Sophomore
Mia Reynolds started in the circle for the Aggies, striking out two Lion batters in 5.0 innings of work. She was relieved by freshman
Tess Bumiller in the top of the sixth before senior
Alyssa Millemon came in for the final 3.0 innings.
Utah State concludes its opening weekend against Cal (3-0) on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m. (MT), in Fullerton, California.
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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