Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PHOENIX, Ariz. – Utah State softball (6-8, 0-0 Mountain West) won both of its Saturday games at the Grand Canyon Tournament with a 9-3 win against Montana and an 8-5 win against South Dakota.
 
The Aggies started the day off strong as a two-RBI single from freshman right fielder Hailey McLean gave USU a 2-0 lead against Montana in the first inning.
 
The Grizzlies (0-13) scored in the bottom of both the second and third frames to lead 3-2.
 
Utah State loaded the bases in the top of the fourth and freshman left fielder Kya Pratt was hit by a pitch to bring senior catcher Makenzie Macfarlane home to tie the game.
 
USU again loaded the bases in the top of the fifth as Macfarlane and sophomore second baseman Claudia Medina each drew a walk to score graduate first baseman Gabriella Jimenez and freshman pinch runner Grace Matej, respectively.
 
Sophomore pinch hitter Taryn Edds brought McLean home with a sacrifice fly, while Pratt singled to center field at the next at-bat to score Macfarlane for the 7-3 edge.
 
With bases loaded in the top of the seventh, a Montana error would score both Medina and sophomore shortstop Ariel Fifita as USU won the game 9-3.
 
Three Aggies saw time in the circle, with freshman Tess Bumiller earning her first win of the season. Sophomore Mia Reynolds made the start in the circle, recording three strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work. Senior Alyssa Millemon pitched 1.0 innings before being relieved by Bumiller, who gave up no runs while striking out two Grizzlies in 4.0 innings.
 
South Dakota (5-6) led 2-0 at the end of the first inning in Utah State's second game of the day. The Aggies trimmed the deficit to one after an RBI single from freshman left fielder Jaden Colunga in the top of the fourth.
 
A big five-running fifth inning for the Aggies gave Utah State a 6-2 advantage. Down two outs, back-to-back singles followed by a walk loaded the bases. Medina then drew a walk of her own to score Fifita before Colunga doubled down the left field line to score sophomore third baseman Claire Raley and Pratt. An RBI single from McLean then scored Medina for the final run of the frame.
 
South Dakota trimmed the margin to 6-5 with a three-run sixth inning.
 
USU cushioned its lead in the top of the seventh as Medina had a lead-off single and advanced to third after Colunga was hit by a pitch and then an Aggie ground out. The Coyotes then threw a wild pitch that scored Medina and put Colunga on third. A sac fly from sophomore designated player Giselle Gonzalez would bring home Colunga as the Aggies held on for the 8-5 victory.
 
McLean earned her second win of the season, pitching the first 5.1 innings and recording eight strikeouts. Bumiller entered the game in the bottom of the sixth to earn her first career save, recording two strikeouts and giving up no runs and just one hit during her 1.2 innings of work.
 
Up Next
USU wraps up its run at the GCU Tournament with a rematch against Montana on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 9:30 a.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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