RENO, Nevada – Utah State softball (25-20, 10-6 MW) closed out a three-game weekend series with a dominant 14-4 five-inning win over league-leader Nevada Saturday at Hixson Softball Park in Reno. The Aggies used the highest-scoring inning in program history to earn the win in this one, as Utah State scored 13 of its 14 runs of the day in the fourth inning. 
 
After scoring on a solo shot home run from junior catcher Grace Matej in Utah State's second at-bat of the day to take an early lead, the Wolf Pack countered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. The hosts would then tack on one more run in each of the next two innings to stretch the lead to 4-1, but then came the Aggie onslaught. 
 
The historic fourth inning opened with a single followed by a pair of walks to load the bases. Following a pitching change to insert former USU pitcher Hailey McLean into the circle for Nevada, the Aggies continued rolling. First, it was a sacrifice fly by Matej for her second RBI of the day. Then, an error on a throw to home allowed another Aggie run while keeping two runners on. A single for junior outfielder Kya Pratt to center field then evened the score at 4-4. 
 
Following a walk to load the bases, senior outfielder Olivia Marble took just four pitches to draw yet another and take the lead for the Aggies. A passed ball later in the inning allowed Pratt to score from third, then a single up the middle by sophomore outfielder Tatum Silva scored two more to make it a 7-4 game. Two more consecutive walks followed as senior infielder Ariel Fifita loaded the bases, then Matej walked another run in. 
 
The second pitching change of the inning for Nevada was followed by an error to bring in yet another Aggie run, before Pratt delivered a bases-loaded shot over the center field fence for the first grand slam of her career. The Wolf Pack made a third pitching change before finally getting out of the inning with a 14-4 deficit. 
 
Each team got a hit in the fifth inning, but in need of at least three runs to prevent a run-rule victory, Nevada was unable to pull any closer as USU secured the win. 
 
A strong performance in the circle for junior right-hander Rylie Pindel helped propel Utah State in this one, as she pitched the full contest with three strikeouts and two walks, allowing just six hits and three earned runs. 
 
In total, Utah State recorded nine hits in 23 at-bats (.391), led by a 3-for-4 effort with a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored by Pratt. Senior infielder Claudia Medina also had an outstanding performance at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored on the day. 
 
UP NEXT
Utah State (25-20, 10-6 MW) now returns to LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field for its final home series of the season, hosting three games against UNLV from April 25-27. 
 
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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