LAS VEGAS – Utah State softball (16-25, 5-11 MW) closed out a two-game series against UNLV with a loss on Sunday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas, falling 12-8. 

Utah State got out to an early lead in this one with a pair of runs in the first, scoring courtesy of an RBI single from senior outfielder Kya Pratt and a sacrifice fly for senior infielder Kaylee Erickson. The Rebels quickly answered, however, with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. 

In the second inning, USU put three more runs on the board, all coming on a home run by sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening. This was the second home run of the season for Kroening, as well as the second of her career. It didn't take long for UNLV to answer, however, as it scored another three runs in the second. 
An RBI single for freshman infielder Kate Vance in the third pulled the Aggies even at 6-6, but UNLV once again surged ahead with a run in the third, then two more in the fourth. USU had a chance to pull closer in the fifth inning, getting a pair of runners into scoring position, but both were left stranded as a groundout ended the inning. 

With a 9-6 lead, UNLV tacked on three more insurance runs in the sixth inning to stretch its lead. USU pushed back in the seventh, scoring on an Erickson solo home run and an RBI single for junior infielder Keely Goushá, but the late push wasn't enough. 

Kroening led the Aggies at the plate with three of the team's 10 hits, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Goushá went 2-for-3 with a walk. In total, the Aggies tallied 10 hits to UNLV's 12. 

Four Aggie pitchers saw time in the circle. Senior Rylie Pindel started and took the first 1.2 innings with five earned runs. Freshman Jordyn Lish went the next 1.1 innings with three earned runs, followed by 2.1 innings with three earned runs for freshman Kendall Cochran. Senior Sydney Saldaña earned the final two outs without allowing a run. 

UP NEXT
Utah State (16-25, 5-11 MW) will return home to LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field tomorrow as it hosts No. 1 Texas Tech at 4 p.m. The game will be streamed on Mountain West Network. 

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 -