PLAY BALL!
Utah State softball (19-32, 7-15 MW) wraps up its 2026 campaign this weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as it faces the New Mexico Lobos in a three-game series Thursday through Saturday, April 30-May 2.
FOLLOW ALONG
All of this week's games will be streamed via the Mountain West Network with live stats available via StatBroadcast. Links and live updates will be available on the USU softball social media pages and through UtahStateAggies.com.
AGGIES VS LOBOS
Utah State and New Mexico have met 68 times in a highly competitive series, with the Aggies holding a 34-32 edge in the series. USU has taken eight of the past 12 meetings, including a doubleheader sweep when the teams met last season in Logan, winning a 12-inning game 7-6 and a five-inning game 8-6. In Albuquerque, Utah State is 15-17 against New Mexico.
THE END OF AN ERA
This weekend's series will be the final for Utah State as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Aggies will join the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026. USU will join existing members Oregon State and Washington State, along with new additions Gonzaga, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Texas State. Utah State has been a member of the Mountain West since 2013.
ICYMI
In its home finale on Tuesday at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field, Utah State fell to in-state foe Weber State 11-7. The Aggies got out to a 6-0 lead through three innings, but were unable to hold off a rally which included 11-straight runs by the Wildcats.
SENIOR SALUTE
As part of last weekend's series against Colorado State, Utah State honored its 10 seniors with a senior day ceremony on the field. Players honored included: Emmalyn Brinka (Chandler, Arizona), Alex Bunton (San Mateo, California), Kaylee Erickson (Phoenix, Arizona), Carly Limosnero (Los Alamitos, California), Grace Matej (Orangevale, California), Kenzee Olsen (Newton, Utah), Rylie Pindel (Las Vegas, Nevada), Kya Pratt (Temecula, California), Sydney Saldaña (Seal Beach, California) and Denay Smith (Mesa, Arizona).
DINGERS FOR DAYS
With 46 home runs this season, Utah State is having one of the most prolific long ball seasons in program history. With one series left to go, the team's 46 home runs rank fourth-most in program history, only behind 2026 (66), 2016 (50) and 2019 (48).
Individually, senior catcher Grace Matej has hit 12 this season, ranking tied for fourth-most all-time. She needs one more to move up to a tie for third, while Giselle Gonzalez holds the record with 17 last season. Senior infielder Kaylee Erickson has 11 dingers this season, ranking tied for ninth all-time.
WHAT A CAREER!
Entering the final three games of her collegiate career, senior catcher Grace Matej has been one of the all-time greats for Utah State. In her four seasons at USU, she currently ranks:
• 4th in career runs (107)
• 5th in career slugging percentage (.557)
• t-5th in career home runs (30)
• t-6th in career doubles (33)
• 7th in career hits (185)
• t-7th in career batting average (.336)
• 8th in career RBIs (109)
RALLY FOR THE W
Utah State put together a big rally in late innings during its 7-6 win over San José State on April 19 to secure the series victory. After giving up four runs in the top of the sixth inning to go down 6-3, the Aggies immediately answered in the bottom of the inning. USU loaded the bases, before a two-out grand slam from senior outfielder Kya Pratt put the team back on top.
DOUBLE 'EM UP
Utah State's defense has excelled in doubling teams up this season. The Aggies have forced 23 double plays, which ranks 29th in the nation.
DON'T EVEN TRY IT
Aggie sophomore catcher Jaelyn Castillo has made life difficult for opposing base runners this season. She currently leads the conference and ranks 39th nationally with 11 times catching a runner stealing.
KYA'S ON FIYA
Senior outfielder Kya Pratt is having the best statistical season of her career, currently leading the squad with a .362 batting average, going 59-for-163 at the plate. Of her 59 hits, 24 have been for extra bases (16 doubles, one triple, seven home runs). She also leads the Aggies with 41 RBIs and ranks second with 29 runs scored, all while striking out just 10 times.
BIG SERIES WINS
• Utah State opened its conference slate with a series win over Fresno State, taking two of the three contests with a 9-2 victory in the series opener and an 8-4 win in nine innings before falling to the Bulldogs, 6-2, in the series finale. The series win was USU's fourth conference-opening series win in the past five seasons. It was also the Aggies' first series win Fresno State since 2017 and the first in Fresno since 1981.
• The Aggies also earned a series victory over San Diego State, their first series win in San Diego in program history and just the fourth overall against the Aztecs. USU won the first game 4-3, then fell 9-1 in game two before bouncing back with a 5-4 win to take the series.
HAVE SOME FAITH!
Utah State sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening is having a major breakout season. After playing primarily as a pinch runner in 2025, totaling just four hits in 30 at-bats for a .133 batting average, Kroening has started all 51 games this season and has a .291 batting average (48-for-165).
OUCH! THAT HURT!
Utah State ranks 11th in the nation with 49 times being hit by pitch. Kaylee Erickson and Faith Kroening each rank in the top five in the conference in HBPs, ranking second and fourth, respectively, with 13 and 10 HBPs.
GOING THE DISTANCE
In nine of Utah State's outings this season, an Aggie pitcher has thrown a complete game. Rylie Pindel leads the way with five complete games, all five of which were USU wins. Her five complete games rank ninth-most in the Mountain West.
