USU Softball breaks in new turf, goes 2-2 in tourney
LOGAN- Spring means a few things: flowers, showers, and softball. Utah State Softball (13–15) hosted the Aggie Classic at the newly renovated LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field March 18-19.
Friday
Game one
Utah State began the tournament against the University of Maine Black Bears (3-16). The Aggies scored 3 runs in the 6th innings to tie the match 6-6. After a scoreless 7th inning, the teams entered an 8th innings. Maine’s Jasmine Gray scored in the top of the 8th, to give her team a 7 to 6 advantage. Senior shortstop Lexi Orozco entered the box with bases loaded. She picked up two strikes to bring the count to 0-2. On her third swing, she the ball into right-center field, allowing three of her teammates to score. Orozco recorded a team-high six RBI.
“My teammates did the hard part by getting on base, I just hit,” Orozco said.
The Aggies lead the all-time series against Maine 2-0. Their only other win against Maine came in February 2010.
Game two
Utah State then played the Idaho State Bengals (16-14) who are ranked third overall in the Big Sky Conference. The game was postponed at the end of the fifth inning due to a lack of light on Friday night. The game picked up at the top of the sixth on Saturday; the Aggies trailed 8-5. Senior shortstop Lexi Orozco led her team with three runs and three RBIs. In the end, the Aggies couldn’t contain Idaho State’s offensive and were defeated 12-6.
The Aggies came out the gates ready to play. At the bottom of the first, third baseman Zaia Castruita hit an RBI single allowing catcher Gabriela Jimenez to score from third. Jimenez narrowly escaped a tag at home to put the Aggies on the board. The Aggies racked up another run in the bottom of the second thanks to a sack-fly to center field by third baseman Claire Raley.
The Aggies kept ISU scoreless through the first two innings despite a steal on second and an exceptional offensive lineup from ISU. Senior pitcher Kapri Toone started at the mound for Utah State and struck out her first batter. She pitched 2.2 innings and recorded one strikeout on the match.
The tides turned in the third inning as ISU’s offensive found their stride. After the Aggies made two back-to-back outs in the top of the third, it looked like ISU would retire scoreless once again. A three-run homer by junior shortstop Angelica Cano kicked off ISU’s scoring run. A three-run double hit by Skylar Sethman just a few plays later gave the Bengals a 6-2 advantage.
Junior pitcher Alyssa Millemon, a transfer from Salt Lake Community College, relieved Toone and closed out the inning on a much-needed strikeout.
Down by four runs, Utah State’s offense needed to step up to the plate. The Aggies earned two outs without recording any hits to start the third. Zaia Castruita stepped up to bat and hit a home run right over the shortstop. Orozco rounded third and dove head-first into home plate thanks to an outfield error.
The run would be Utah State’s sole score in the third.
A double RBI home-run by ISU put the Bengals ahead 8-3. After back-to-back scoreless half-innings, the Aggies took the field to close out the fifth. Orozco scored from second base and first baseman Bri Lerma recorded a triple after a missed tag on third-base from ISU. Larmuh’s triple was just the third triple by any Aggie this season. An error by the Bengal’s shortstop allowed Lerma to score and end Friday’s play 8-5.
Play resumed Saturday afternoon, as Idaho State recorded three runs to start the sixth. Sophomore pitcher Jessica Stewart subbed in mid-inning and allowed an additional three runs. The Bengals led 12-5.
The Aggies would go on to score just one more run, giving Idaho State the 12-6 win. Coach Steve Johnson commented on his team’s play,
“We need to work on consistency. We stress all-around consistency in all three areas, hitting, defense.”
Utah State Softball will take on Utah Valley University at home on Wednesday at 3 p.m. MT.
Saturday
Game One
Utah State 7, Maine 3
A five-run 5th inning propelled the Aggies to their second win over Main. A Mazie Macfarlane double brought in two runs, and a Claire Raley triple sent home 2 and an Orozco single brought in Raley to give Utah State a 7-0 lead.
Game Two
Utah State 2, Idaho State 6
The Bengals scored four runs in the top of the fifth and coasted by USU to win the Aggie Classic.