BOISE, Idaho – Utah State softball (26-23, 11-9 MW) opened its final series of the regular season with a loss Thursday evening at Huber Field in Boise, falling to Boise State 7-1.

The timely hit alluded Utah State throughout the contest, as the Aggies were able to produce consistent offense but left multiple runners on base in four different innings. 

USU struck first in this one, putting a run on the board in the first inning courtesy of junior catcher Grace Matej, who sent a double down the right field line to bring sophomore outfielder Tatum Silva around home from second. After the run scored, however, Matej was thrown out on an attempted advance to third to end the inning. 

Boise State put a pair of runs on the board with a 2-RBI single in the second inning, before a pair of quick, scoreless innings for junior right-handed pitcher Emmalyn Brinka and the Aggie defense. The score remained 2-1, until a four run explosion by the Broncos in the fifth, including a three-run homer. The hosts would tack on one more run in the sixth to add to their lead, while on the flip side, Utah State left multiple runners stranded in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings. 

USU tallied seven hits to Boise State's 10, going 7-for-26 (.269) at the plate on the day. Three different Aggies recorded multiple hits, including Silva, senior outfielder Olivia Marble and senior infielder Claudia Medina, each going 2-for-3 in the batter's box. 

In the pitching circle, Brinka started and pitched five full innings, each of Boise State's 10 hits and seven earned runs going on her record. Junior Denay Smith entered for the final three outs, facing five batters without allowing a hit. 

UP NEXT

Utah State (26-23, 11-9 MW) will play part two of the three game series against the Broncos tomorrow evening in Boise, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.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.

- USU -