PHOENIX, Ariz. – Utah State softball (12-8, 0-0 MW) dropped its fifth and final game of the ASU/GCU Invitational on Sunday morning in Phoenix, falling to Seattle 3-1. 
 
The Aggies were able to consistently generate offense throughout the contest, but struggled to bring runners around the bags. In total, USU left eight runners stranded, including three innings with multiple runners left on. 
 
All three of Seattle's runs came in the first three innings. First, it was a two-shot home run in the second, then a groundout to score a runner from third base in the third inning. Utah State's lone run of the contest was in the fifth inning, a double out to right center field by senior infielder Giselle Gonzalez to bring senior infielder Ariel Fifita around from third. 
 
USU recorded five total hits to Seattle's seven, while the Redhawks had three errors to Utah State's zero. Fifita led the Aggies at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance plus a base on balls. Gonzalez went 2-for-4 as the only other USU player with multiple hits. 
 
In the circle, junior Emmalyn Brinka started the contest and was given the loss. She pitched the first 3.0 innings with six hits and three earned runs. Brinka was replaced in the fourth by junior Rylie Pindel, who took the Aggies the rest of the way with a nearly flawless 3.0 innings pitched with no earned runs and just one hit allowed. 
 
Up Next
Utah State (12-8, 0-0 MW) will return to Arizona again next week to take part in the Grand Canyon-hosted Purple Classic from March 7-9. There, they will face Saint Joseph's, Penn, San Diego and Grand Canyon. USU will also play a one-off contest at Arizona on Monday, March 10. 
 
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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