DAVIS, California – Utah State softball (8-7, 0-0 MW) earned a win on the first day of the Capital Classic, defeating UC Davis 3-2 at La Rue Field in Davis. The team's second game of the day, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. against BYU, was canceled due to rain and will likely be rescheduled for later in the season. 
 
In a battle of the Aggies, an outstanding effort on the mound by Denay Smith led Utah State to victory over UC Davis. The redshirt sophomore pitched the full seven innings, allowing just five hits and a pair of runs. 
 
After two scoreless innings, USU took a two-run lead in the top of the third courtesy of a single by senior outfielder Ali Ashner and a sacrifice fly by sophomore infielder Alex Bunton to bring home freshman outfielder Tatum Silva and junior infielder Ariel Fifita, respectively. The hosts responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to even things up at 2-2. 
 
Leading off the top of the fourth inning in what was her first game played since Feb. 11, sophomore catcher Grace Matej turned a full count into a home run over the center field fence to give Utah State the lead. This was the first home run of the season for Matej, and fourth of her career. 
 
Smith then took care of business in the circle to maintain the one-run advantage, facing just 14 UC Davis batters in the final four innings and allowing just a single hit during that stretch to secure the win. Smith finished the game with three strikeouts and just one walk. 
 
Up Next
Utah State (8-7, 0-0 MW) now travels to Sacramento, California, for day two of the Capital Classic. The Aggies face Sacramento State in a doubleheader tomorrow at 12 p.m. (MT) and 2:30 p.m. (MT). 
 
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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