LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (14-19, 3-5 MW) fell to No. 23 Grand Canyon in game two of a three-game series Saturday afternoon at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field, losing 10-1. 

For the second time in as many games this weekend, USU kept the game close until a seventh inning rally from the Lopes put the contest out of reach.

GCU took an early lead as it put three runs on the board with its first hit of the day, a two-out home run following a pair of walked batters. Despite the early offense, Utah State held the Lopes scoreless with just two runs over the next three innings. 

The Aggies' first and only run of the day came in the bottom of the fourth, a solo home run for senior catcher Kaylee Erickson, her seventh of the season and the 16th of her career. USU followed with a single from freshman infielder Jazmin Ramirez and a double from freshman infielder Kate Vance to get the tying run into scoring position, but a strikeout ended the inning, stranding both. 

With a 3-1 lead, the Lopes tacked on a single run in each of the next two innings, before a seventh inning explosion with four hits and five runs scored broke things open. 

USU totaled five hits, with Erickson leading the way with two. The Aggies had no errors and left four runners on base.

In the pitching circle, senior Carly Limosnero started and earned the first two outs before senior Rylie Pindel took over. Pindel went 5.2 innings with four strikeouts, before freshman Jordyn Lish entered for the final two outs in the seventh. 

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Utah State (14-19, 3-5 MW) will remain at home to conclude the three-game series against Grand Canyon tomorrow at noon at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field.

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 -