PHOENIX, Ariz. – Utah State softball (11-6, 0-0 MW) dropped its first pair of games on Friday at the ASU/GCU Invitational, falling to Oregon State, 12-10, before losing to Grand Canyon, 10-2, in five innings.
 
Utah State 10, Oregon State 12
The Aggies wasted no time in this one, putting three runs on the board in the top of the first inning. After back-to-back walks to open the inning by senior infielder Ariel Fifita and sophomore outfielder Tatum Silva, a hit by senior infielder Giselle Gonzalez put the first run of the day on the board for USU. Redshirt junior catcher Kaylee Erickson then made it a 3-0 lead with a two-run homer down the left field line. The Beavers countered, however, putting six runs on the board with just two hits in the bottom of the inning, including two bases-loaded walks and a run scored on an error. 
 
Despite the 6-3 deficit, the USU bats remained hot in the second inning. A double down the right field line by senior infielder/outfielder Claudia Medina brought junior outfielder Kya Pratt around from second, before the Beavers returned the favor from the first inning, walking back-to-back Aggie batters in sophomore outfielder Tatum Silva and junior catcher Grace Matej. Then, with the bases still loaded, Erickson was hit by a pitch to retake the lead at 7-6. 
 
In the third inning, the sides combined for just a single hit, but a sacrifice fly for the Beavers evened the game up at 7-7. Utah State pulled back in front shortly after, however, tacking on three more runs in the fourth on a three-run shot over the right center field fence by Erickson to score Matej and junior infielder Kenzee Hale, who was pinch running for Gonzalez. This was the second of the game for Erickson and her fourth of the season. 
 
The lone run of the fifth inning belonged to the Beavers, tying the game at 10-apiece, but two more came home in the sixth on a two-RBI double to pull ahead. The Aggies had a great opportunity to stay alive in the seventh, loading the bases with just a single out, but a strikeout and a fly ball to center field ended the comeback hopes. 
 
In total, Utah State recorded eight hits to Oregon State's 10, leaving nine runners on base. Erickson led the team at the plate, going 2-for-3 with six RBIs. Medina and junior infielder Alex Bunton also each recorded two hits, both going 2-for-4 at the plate. 
 
Junior right-hander Rylie Pindel started in the circle for the Aggies and pitched the first 3.0 innings with eight earned runs, before junior Denay Smith entered for the next 2.1 innings with three earned runs. Junior Carly Limsonero earned the final two outs for USU. The loss was awarded to Smith. 
 
Utah State 2, Grand Canyon 10
USU again jumped out to the game's first lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. After singles from both senior infielder Ariel Fifita and senior outfielder Olivia Marble, Fifita reached home on a wild pitch for Utah State's first run. Later in the inning, senior infielder Giselle Gonzalez drove a pitch to deep left center and narrowly missed a home run, though the fly ball was deep enough to bring home Marble to go up 2-0.
 
The Antelopes earned one run back in the bottom of the first before putting up eight runs in the second inning to take firm control of the contest. The Lopes also added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning to go up 10-2.
 
Utah State left five runners on base over the final four innings and was ultimately unable to draw closer to GCU prior to the game ending in a run rule following the top of the fifth inning.
 
The Aggies scored their two runs off of three hits while the Lopes scored 10 runs off of 10 hits. Neither side recorded an error in the contest. Fifita led USU with two hits and drawing a hit-by-pitch in her three at-bats.
 
Four Aggies saw time in the circle for USU as junior Carly Limosnero started the game off and we 1.1 innings, surrendering five hits and six earned runs. Sophomore Maren Berger came on in relief, giving up three hits and three earned runs before junior Rylie Pindel came on for 1.2 innings, giving up two hits and one earned run. Junior Denay Smith came last to finish out the final 1.0 inning and gave up no hits or walks while facing three batters.

Up Next
Utah State (11-5, 0-0 MW) will remain in Arizona for games three and four of its five-game slate at the ASU/GCU Invitational tomorrow in Tempe. The Aggies will face UTEP at 1:15 p.m., then Arizona State at 6:30 p.m. The Arizona State game will be streamed on ESPN+. 
 
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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