RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Utah State softball (5-2, 0-0 MW) split a pair of eight-inning results on Friday at John C. Funk Stadium on the first day of the Cal Baptist Classic, first defeating Saint Francis 5-4, then falling to Loyola Marymount 6-3.
Utah State 5, Saint Francis 4 (8 innings)
In the first game of the day, Utah State got on the board early to take the lead in the bottom of the first inning when a single by junior infielder Keely Goushá was followed by a costly fielding error by the Red Storm which allowed Goushá to make it in all the way from first.
Saint Francis was held to just a single hit in the first three innings by senior right-hander Rylie Pindel, allowing the Aggies to remain on top before eventually extending their lead in the third. Another fielding error by Saint Francis allowed senior catcher Grace Matej to reach first and advance all the way to third. A sacrifice fly by freshman infielder Kate Vance followed to make it a 2-0 game.
The Red Storm got on the board with a solo home run in the fourth to cut the lead to a single run, but the Aggies answered with a home run of their own, a lead off shot over the left field fence by senior infielder Alex Bunton, to make it 3-1. Bunton would strike again in the fifth to make it 4-1 with an RBI single to bring Vance around from third.
Saint Francis created some drama late in the game, opening the sixth inning with a pair of singles followed by a game-tying home run. Following a scoreless seventh inning, USU secured the win with a walk-off fielder's choice RBI from sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening, bringing freshman infielder Jazmin Ramirez across as the game-winning run.
In the circle, Pindel took the first five innings, earning three strikeouts with one walked batter and allowing five hits and four earned runs. Senior Sydney Saldaña entered in the sixth and earned three quick outs with one hit allowed, before senior Emmalyn Brinka closed the game retiring six-straight batters, including three strikeouts, to earn the win.
Utah State 3, Loyola Marymount 6 (8 innings)
In the afternoon contest, Utah State once again got out to an early lead and led for most of the contest, but this time was unable to hold off a late push by its opponent. The Aggies got on the board in the first inning with an RBI double by Bunton, scoring Vance from second. Vance then came up with an RBI of her own in the third inning, a single to left field resulting in a run for Goushá.
After earning the win in the morning contest, Brinka started versus Loyola Marymount and was outstanding through much of the game. Through six innings, she had allowed just three hits and no runs, but things unraveled late. In need of three outs to secure the win, the Aggies allowed a pair of runs to tie the game in the seventh as three hits and a costly passed ball led the Lions back into the game.
In the eighth, Loyola Marymount put four runs on the board to take command and put pressure on the Aggies. USU was able to generate a run in the bottom of the inning, once again using a fielder's choice RBI to score the runner placed on second, but came up three runs short of extending the game.
UP NEXT
Utah State (5-2, 0-0 MW) will remain in Riverside, California, tomorrow for day two of the Cal Baptist Classic. The Aggies will face Hawaii at 9:30 a.m., then Cal State Bakersfield at 12:15 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.
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