Box Score FRESNO, California – Utah State softball (21-17, 5-7 MW) dropped part one of a two-game road series against Fresno State Saturday afternoon, losing 9-1 in five innings. 
 
Fresno State used a hot start in the first inning to gain separation early, putting six runs on the board with six hits against two different Aggie pitchers. The Bulldogs then tacked on another with an RBI single in the second inning to make it a 7-0 lead. Utah State's first strong chance of the day came in the third inning when the team loaded the bases behind a pair of walks and a single by junior infielder Ariel Fifita, but all three were left stranded as the Aggies were held off the board. 
 
Utah State's lone run of the afternoon came in the top of the fourth, when sophomore outfielder Kya Pratt delivered an RBI single down the left field line to bring home senior outfielder Ali Ashner from third. The Bulldogs scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to secure an 8-run lead and cut the game short for a five-inning win. 
 
Redshirt sophomore Denay Smith started in the circle for Utah State, earning the loss with 0.1 innings pitched and four earned runs. Sophomore Denay Smith pitched 2.0 innings without an earned run before being replaced in the third by sophomore Hailey McLean, who took the Aggies the rest of the way. 
 
Up Next
Utah State (21-17, 5-7 MW) now remains in Fresno to wrap up the two-game series against the Bulldogs tomorrow at 1 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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