LONG BEACH, Calif. – Utah State softball (12-9, 0-0 MW) went two-for-two on the first day of the Louisville Slugger Invitational on Friday in Long Beach, defeating Fairfield 8-1, then beating North Dakota 2-0 to end the day.
In the first game of the afternoon, the Aggies took control early with hot bats. Utah State earned its first three runs in the bottom of the first inning as sophomore infielder Alex Bunton's single up the middle sent freshman outfielder Tatum Silva and junior infielder Ariel Fifita home. Bunton then made it home via senior outfielder Ali Ashner's single up the middle.
In the fourth inning, junior Claudia Medina and junior outfielder Brooklyn Pritchett were brought in on a Fifita bunt combined with an error by third base for a 5-1 lead before an RBI flyout from sophomore catcher Grace Matej and an RBI double from Bunton allowed Fifita and Silva to round the bases and build upon the lead. The Aggies scored their final run in the bottom of the fifth as junior outfielder Hannah Vargas scored a run from freshman catcher Zereniti Sousa's single to center field to put away the Stags.
Sophomore Tess Bumiller earned her first win of the season as she pitched for 4.1 innings with three strikeouts and allowed just one hit in the victory.
Against the Fighting Hawks, the Aggies played a defensive thriller with the first run of the game taking place in the fifth inning. Utah State's Matej doubled to right field as Fifita ran in for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the seventh, Medina scored off of a single to right field from Silva for the final run of the game.
Redshirt-sophomore Denay Smith pitched for 6.2 innings with two strikeouts and four hits for the victory. Senior Jessica Stewart came in to face the last batter with the bases loaded to complete the game and seal the win.
Up Next
Utah State (12-9, 0-0 MW) continues competition in the Louisville Slugger Invitational tomorrow with a doubleheader as the Aggies face Yale at 1:30 p.m. (MT) and Toledo at 4:30 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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