LOGAN, Utah — Utah State Softball (21-20, 5-9 MW) came up one run short, losing to Colorado State 5-4 on Friday afternoon at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field.

After two scoreless innings to start the game, the Rams' offense started the scoring with a three-run inside-the-park home run in the top of the third. Colorado State would add on with a traditional homer and an RBI double to score all five of its runs in the frame.

Graduate pitcher Katie Zuniga entered in relief for Utah State to stop the bleeding in the top of the third. Zuniga would go on to pitch 4.2 innings of scoreless softball, totaling one strikeout and allowing just four hits.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, junior infielder Giselle Gonzalez got the Aggies on the board with a two-RBI single, which scored junior infielder Ariel Fifita and freshman outfielder Tatum Silva. With the next at-bat, senior outfielder Ali Ashner plated sophomore catcher Grace Matej with an RBI single. 

Following another two scoreless innings, junior infielder/outfielder Claudia Medina cleared the fence in left-center field with her first home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth. 

Colorado State sealed its victory with a one-two-three bottom of the seventh, striking out the last batter of the night.

Redshirt sophomore pitcher Denay Smith was tabbed with the loss after allowing five runs, four of them earned, in 2.1 innings.

The Aggies totaled four runs on 11 hits, while the Rams logged five runs on 12 hits and one USU error.

Up Next

Utah State continues its three-game series with Colorado State tomorrow at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field. First pitch on Saturday is set for noon. 

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.