LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (16-26, 5-11 MW) held tight to the No. 1 team in the nation through five innings Monday afternoon at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field, before eventually falling to Texas Tech 17-7 in a six-inning contest.

While it took until the fifth inning for the Aggies to get on the board, the USU defense held the Red Raiders in check in the early innings. Texas Tech scored just a pair of runs in the first three innings, both coming on a two-run home run in the second. They would tack on three more in the fourth, then one more in the fifth to go up 6-0, but then Utah State punched back. 

In the fifth, a pair of drawn walks set up for a single to right field by sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening for USU's first run of the day. Another walk followed to set up a grand slam for senior outfielder Kya Pratt, cutting the deficit to just a single run. Following a pitching change, senior infielder Kaylee Erickson doubled, then a home run by senior catcher Grace Matej put the Aggies in front 7-6. 

The nation's top-ranked squad answered the Aggie rally with a massive sixth inning, scoring 11 runs on eight hits and three Utah State errors to pull away, earning the run-rule victory. 

In total, USU recorded eight hits to Texas Tech's 14, eight of those 14 coming in the final inning. Pratt led the Aggies at the plate, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs, a home run, a double and a run scored. Matej also recorded multiple hits, going 2-for-2 with a home run. 

Senior Carly Limosnero took the majority of the time in the pitching circle for Utah State, playing 5.1 innings and allowing 11 earned runs while facing 34 batters. Freshman Jordyn Lish and senior Rylie Pindel combined for the final two outs of the contest. 

UP NEXT
Utah State (16-26, 5-11 MW) will return to the road tomorrow for an in-state battle in Ogden against Weber State. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m., on ESPN+. 

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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