LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (24-18, 9-4 MW) fell in the final contest of a three-game series against Fresno State Sunday afternoon at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field, losing 7-4. 
 
The Aggies got off to an early advantage in this one when the team's leadoff hitter, senior infielder Ariel Fifita, hit a full count home run in USU's first at-bat. This was Fifita's ninth home run of the season and the 22nd of her career. Utah State then tacked on another in the second to take a 2-0 lead when a double by junior infielder Alex Bunton was followed by an RBI single to center field for senior infielder Claudia Medina. 
 
Both squads put two runs on the board in the third inning. Fresno State evened things up with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly, before the Aggies jumped back on top 4-2 courtesy of a double for junior outfielder Kya Pratt to bring junior catcher Kaylee Erickson and freshman outfielder Rylee Turlington across the bag. 
 
Errors hurt the Aggies in the fourth and sixth innings as the Bulldogs scored a pair of unearned runs on a two-run home run following a fielding error, then pulled ahead in the sixth with an unearned run following another fielding error. In the seventh inning, Fresno State extended its lead with a bases-loaded hit by pitch followed by a bases-loaded walk. On the flip side, Utah State left six runners stranded while going scoreless in the final three innings. 
 
In total, Utah State went 6-for-26 (.231) at the plate. The Aggies were led by a 2-for-4 hitting performance from Pratt, who also had a team-best two RBIs. 
 
Three different pitchers saw time in the circle for the Aggies. Junior Emmalyn Brinka started and pitched 4.0 total innings with three earned runs and five hits allowed. Junior Carly Limosnero was awarded the loss after going 1.2 innings with two hits and no earned runs. Junior Denay Smith pitched 1.1 innings with two earned runs and one hit allowed. 
 
UP NEXT
Utah State (24-18, 9-4 MW) will now travel to Reno, Nevada, for a three-game series against Nevada with games Thursday, April 17 through Saturday, April 19. 
 
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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