LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (13-16, 2-2 MW) dropped the first contest of a three-game series against Nevada, 13-6, on Friday afternoon at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field.

The Wolf Pack grabbed firm hold of the contest with multi-run innings each of their first four times up to bat. The Aggies awoke in the bottom of the fourth inning, loading the bases with a pair of walks earned by senior catcher Grace Matej and freshman catcher Sofia Trejo plus a hit-by-pitch by freshman infielder Jazmin Ramirez.

A pinch-hit walk earned by senior pitcher Denay Smith put the Aggies on the board before a bases-clearing triple by sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening put USU squarely on the comeback trail. A two-run home run by senior catcher Kaylee Erickson brought the run total for the inning up to six, halving the deficit for the Aggies.

After working their way out of the inning, Nevada then responded with an RBI single in the top of the fifth. In their final chances at the plate, Utah State was unable to further the comeback attempt as the Wolf Pack closed out the 13-6 win.

The trio of seniors Rylie Pindel, Sydney Saldaña and Carly Limosnero pitched the entirety of the game for USU, combining for 7.0 innings pitched with four strikeouts. At the plate, Kroening led the Aggies with two hits, a double and triple, on four at-bats with four RBIs and one run scored. Erickson added two hits including the home run, her fifth of the season, with two RBIs and one run scored.

UP NEXT
Utah State (13-16, 2-2 MW) continues its series against the Wolf Pack at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field on Saturday at noon.

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 -