Softball falls to San Diego, UC Riverside

Ben Walker

The Aggie softball team suffered a pair of close losses to San Diego before falling victim to a drubbing at the hands of UC Riverside.

Utah State opened the weekend with an exhibition game against the Toreros of San Diego.  The Aggies managed just one run in the 2-1 loss, despite having nine players reach a base.

They followed the loss with a tight 7-6 losing effort to the Toreros to open the University of San Diego Spring Tournament. The Aggies jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a third-inning double by Jessica Garnett. The Toreros edged closer with a run in the next inning before blowing the game open with a six-run sixth inning.

USU scored on a fly-out and a ground-out in the seventh inning before Tara Evans hit a two-RBI double to right field to reach the final score. Jeanine Hernandez struck out looking to end the game.

UC Riverside recorded zero errors in their 8-0 victory over the Aggies and left scored all hits but three. USU had four errors and five hits.

With the three losses, Utah State moved to 2-12. Their lone victories came against Cal State Fullerton and an 18th-ranked Oregon team.

The Aggies closed out the tournament with a rematch against the Highlanders and a game against WAC rival Nevada on Sunday.

Utah State will travel to Fort Collins, Colo. this weekend to Wisconsin-Green Bay and Colorado State.

-benwalker@cc.usu.edu