LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball (19-30, 7-14 MW) dropped a pair of games in a Friday doubleheader to open a three-game series against Colorado State at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field, losing 11-8 in eight innings in the first contest, then 7-5 in the second.
Game 1 - Utah State 8, Colorado State 11 (8 innings)
Utah State took immediate command early in the first game of the day, scoring five of its eight runs in the first inning. After opening the inning with three free runners on a hit by pitch and a pair of walks, the Aggies took advantage. Senior catcher Grace Matej delivered an RBI hit through the right side of the infield to get on the board, before freshman infielder Jazmin Ramirez hit her fifth career home run, a grand slam over the fence in center.
The Rams didn't register their first hit of the day until the fourth inning, but then used four hits in the inning to score three runs and pull within two. USU added another in the fifth on an RBI base hit by senior infielder Kaylee Erickson to go up 6-3.
After CSU scored a single run in the sixth, Utah State responded with two of its own in the bottom of the inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Keely Goushá and an RBI fielder's choice by senior infielder Alex Bunton. Three outs from a loss, the Rams then rallied with four runs to tie the game at 8-8 in the seventh. Colorado State then scored three in the eighth while holding USU off the board to secure the come-from-behind victory.
Utah State totaled 10 hits to CSU's 11. Matej led the way with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate, while Ramirez and freshman infielder Kate Vance each tallied two.
Senior right-hander Rylie Pindel started and went for 6.2 innings in the circle for Utah State. Freshmen Jordyn Lish and Kendall Cochran split the final 1.1 innings.
Game 2 - Utah State 5, Colorado State 7
Utah State struggled to find offense in the early innings of the second game, as a late rally fell short during a 7-5 loss. The Rams gained early separation with a run in the second inning and four more in the third, while the Aggies didn't get their first hit until the third inning and their first run until the fifth.
In the fifth, a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Keely Goushá put USU in the scoring column, followed by an RBI base hit by Kroening to score sophomore catcher Jaelyn Castillo from second. Each side then scored twice in the sixth, USU's runs coming courtesy of a two-shot homer from Matej, her 10th home run of the season. In need of at least three runs to stay alive, USU produced one in the seventh on a groundout from Pratt, but the late rally wasn't enough.
Utah State had eight hits to Colorado State's 11 in the contest, led by a 2-for-3 showing with a pair of doubles by Castillo.
Cochran got the start in the pitching circle after closing the first game of the day, and she pitched 2.2 innings. Senior Carly Limosnero then went for 2.1 innings, before senior Sydney Saldaña took the final 2.0 innings.
UP NEXT
Utah State (19-30, 7-14 MW) will play its third and final game of the three-game series against Colorado State tomorrow at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field. First pitch is set for noon 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.
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