CEDAR CITY, Utah – Utah State softball (21-19, 5-8 MW) saw a late rally come up short Wednesday afternoon in Cedar City, as the Aggies lost to Southern Utah 10-8. 
 
Missed opportunities were a theme for Utah State in this one, as the Aggies left 10 total runners on base and allowed three unearned runs. 
 
Southern Utah struck first with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, then added on three more runs in the bottom of the second after USU failed to secure the third out of the inning with a dropped ball error in left field. 
 
The Aggies punched back in the top of the third with a two-shot home run over the center field fence by sophomore infielder Alex Bunton, scoring sophomore catcher Grace Matej from first. This was the sixth home run of the season for Bunton. SUU then took an 8-2 lead with an RBI single and a three-run home run in the bottom of the third. 
 
Things bounced back in USU's favor in the fifth inning as the Aggies loaded the bases before recording an out. A sacrifice fly by junior infielder Giselle Gonzalez scored junior infielder Ariel Fifita from third to narrow the gap, before a two-out error by SUU allowed two more Utah State runs to score, bringing the game to 8-5. 
 
In the bottom of the fifth, SUU scored on a solo home run, then again on a hit by pitch with bases loaded. Entering the final inning with a five-run deficit, Utah State made it all the way through the order with runs scoring on a double from freshman outfielder Tatum Silva, a sacrifice fly by freshman catcher Zereniti Sousa and a double by Fifita, but the late rally fell short as the Aggies were retired with a pair of runners left on base. 
 
Matej continued a hot streak at the plate, going 4-for-5 and scoring a run in this one. Bunton, Silva and sophomore outfielder Jaden Colunga each recorded a pair of hits as well. In the circle, USU cycled through five pitchers, redshirt sophomore Denay Smith pitching the final 2.0 innings without allowing an earned run. 
 
Up Next
Utah State (21-19, 5-8 MW) now returns home to Johnson Field for a three-game series against Mountain West foe Colorado State, beginning Friday, April 12, at 4 p.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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