LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (16-13, 1-2 MW) fell in a non-conference showdown with Saint Mary's Sunday afternoon at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field, losing 15-10. 
 
The Aggies faced an early deficit in this one after allowing a pair of runs in the top of the first, but quickly countered with three of their own in the bottom of the inning when a home run by senior infielder Giselle Gonzalez, her 10th of the season brought senior outfielder Olivia Marble and senior infielder Ariel Fifita around the bags. 
 
Utah State's lead didn't last for long, however, as the Gaels put five on the board in the second, first hitting a grand slam before recording an out, then scoring on a sacrifice bunt. They would tack on four more in the third with a pair of doubles, to extend the advantage. 
 
Despite facing an 11-3 deficit, USU remained resilient. In the bottom of the third, the first three Aggie batters loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. Following a pair of RBI singles from junior infielder Alex Bunton and junior outfielder Kya Pratt, redshirt junior catcher Kaylee Erickson stepped up to the plate to deliver a shot over the center field fence for her program-record fourth grand slam of the season. The Aggies totaled six runs and four hits in the inning to narrow the gap to 11-9. 
 
After a scoreless fourth, each side scored a run in the fifth. The Gaels scored on a single down the right field line, before the Aggies matched it with a double from sophomore infielder Emerson Meggers to make it 12-10. The final three runs of the day belonged to Saint Mary's, scoring three in the top of the sixth to extend its advantage, then holding the Aggies without a hit in the final two innings. 
 
In total, Utah State recorded 10 hits to 16 for Saint Mary's. The Aggies went 10-for-28 (.357) at the plate, led by a 3-for-4 effort from Pratt, who had two doubles, a run scored and an RBI. Gonzalez and Meggers each recorded multiple hits as well, Gonzalez going 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs and two hit by pitches, while Meggers went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. 
 
Four pitchers saw time in the circle for USU. Junior Emmalyn Brinka started and was awarded the loss after pitching the first inning and allowing five earned runs. Junior Carly Limosnero took the next 1.2 innings with five earned runs, before junior Rylie Pindel pitched 2.2 innings with four earned runs. Junior Denay Smith took the final 1.2 innings with no earned runs. 
 
Up Next
Utah State (16-13, 1-2 MW) will now remain at home for a mid-week matchup against in-state foe Weber State on Tuesday, March 25. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Johnson Field. 
 
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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