RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Utah State softball (7-2, 0-0 MW) earned a pair of dominant wins on day two of the Cal Baptist Classic on Saturday at John C. Funk Stadium, defeating Hawaii 5-1 and CSU Bakersfield 7-2.
Utah State 5, Hawaii 1
In the morning game, a big third inning and a dominant pitching performance by freshman right-hander Kendall Cochran helped the Aggies deliver the Rainbow Wahine their second loss of the season.
After the teams combined for just a single hit in the first two innings, Utah State broke things open with its bats, putting all five of its runs on the board in the third. Following two quick outs to start the inning, the Aggies were able to load the bases without recording a hit as a walk was followed by a hit by pitch and a fielding error. Senior infielder Alex Bunton then continued a strong hitting weekend as she delivered a double to left center, scoring three runs.
Following Bunton's double, another walk followed by a single through the left side by freshman infielder Jazmin Ramirez once again loaded the bases. The Aggies then tallied another double, as this time it was senior catcher Grace Matej putting two more runs on the board to make it 5-0.
Cochran held Hawaii off with three-straight hitless innings in the circle after the Aggie rally, but the Rainbow Wahine broke up the shutout in the sixth. After recording just a single hit through five innings, Hawaii used a single and a triple on ensuing at-bats to score their lone run of the day.
In total, the Aggies recorded 10 hits while allowing just three, led by two hits apiece from Bunton, Ramirez and junior infielder Keely Goushá. USU left 12 runners on base.
Cochran finished the second appearance of her career with six strikeouts, one batter walked, three hits and just one earned run while facing 25 batters to improve to 2-0.
Utah State 7, CSU Bakersfield 2
In the afternoon game, the Aggies wasted no time taking control, putting three runs on the board in the top of the first inning. Sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening, who would finish with a team-best three hits in the contest, led off with a single, followed by another from Goushá. Senior outfielder Kya Pratt then stepped up to the plate to send a shot over the fence for her first home run of the season, making it a 3-0 game.
After two scoreless innings for both sides, the Aggie bats once again came alive in the fourth. Back-to-back doubles to open the inning by Matej and sophomore catcher Jaelyn Castillo added a fourth run, then a base hit for freshman outfielder Haylee Lopez and another double by Kroening made it a 5-0 contest. A fielder's choice RBI for freshman infielder Kate Vance and a groundout RBI for Pratt rounded out the Aggie scoring and made it a seven-run advantage.
The Roadrunners showed their first signs of life in the bottom of the fourth, stringing together back-to-back hits for their first run of the day. They'd tack on one more in the sixth with a double.
Utah State totaled 14 hits, including four for extra bases, with just a single strikeout.
In the pitching circle, senior Rylie Pindel earned the win with six strong innings, facing 22 batters and allowing just six hits and two earned runs. Senior Sydney Saldaña entered in relief for the final inning, taking care of three-straight batters with two strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Utah State (7-2, 0-0 MW) will remain in Riverside, California, tomorrow for the third and final day of the Cal Baptist Classic. The Aggies will play a single game, a rematch against Hawaii at 3:45 p.m. (MT).
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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