LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball junior Grace Matej provided the heroics for the Aggies on Sunday, sending a walk-off home run well over the right field fence to give USU a 5-4 win over San Diego State in the final game of the series at LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field.
 
The Aggies controlled the contest through the first six innings as junior pitcher Emmalyn Brinka held the Aztecs to a single run and only eight hits through six innings. Brinka also recorded five strikeouts on the day. In a low-scoring affair, senior outfielder Olivia Marble gave the Aggies their first lead of the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning.
 
After SDSU tied things back up with an RBI single in the fifth inning, the Aggies again took control in the bottom half of the inning with senior Claudia Medina restoring USU's lead with an RBI double to bring home Marble. With two outs, junior catcher/infielder Kaylee Erickson came through in a pinch-hit situation, singling up the middle to score Medina and freshman outfield Faith Kroening to put Utah State up, 4-1.
 
Down to their last opportunities, San Diego State ultimately tied the game in the top of the seventh inning courtesy of an RBI single and a two-run home run. Junior Rylie Pindel then came on in relief and shut the Aztec rally down with three straight outs, setting the stage for another walk-off victory for USU.
 
The Aggies looked to be heading toward extra innings as SDSU retired the first two batters before Matej stepped up to the plate. After fouling off several pitches, Matej connected and sent a solo home run to deep right field, giving Utah State their second walk-off victory of the week.
 
Marble led the Aggie from the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and a home run, also drawing a hit-by-pitch and scoring two runs. Medina also went 2-for-2 in the game with one double. As a team, the Aggies recorded eight hits on 26 at-bats.
 
In the first game of the day, a continuation of game two from Friday, Utah State ultimately fell, 8-6. After the game was suspended due to low light on Friday with SDSU leading, 7-4, entering the sixth inning, the Aztecs extended their lead with an RBI single. The Aggies attempted a comeback as Matej launched a two-run home run to right field, scoring senior infielder Giselle Gonzalez, but left the bases loaded to end the inning. A double play then thwarted USU's last-ditch comeback in the seventh inning to give SDSU the victory.
 
Four Aggies recorded multi-hit outings in game two, led by Marble going 3-for-4 and Matej going 2-for-3, each recording two RBIs as well. Senior outfielder Brooklyn Pritchett went 2-for-4 with a double while Gonzalez went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and also drawing two walks. 
 
Up Next
Utah State (15-12, 1-2 MW) returns to non-conference action with a pair of games this week. The Aggies will head to Pocatello, Idaho, to face Idaho State on Wednesday, March 19, at 2 p.m., before returning to Logan to host St. Mary's on Sunday, March 23, at 11 a.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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