Utah State softball began Mountain West play with a 9-2 win over Fresno State on March 13 at Margie Wright Diamond in Fresno. The Aggies, now holding an 11-14 overall record and a 1-0 mark in conference play, started the three-game series with a strong performance.
The game saw Utah State fall behind early after Fresno State scored two runs in the first inning, aided by a triple, an error, and a base hit. However, the Aggies responded in the third inning with four runs. Sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening delivered an RBI single to put Utah State on the board. Senior catcher Kaylee Erickson followed with an RBI double after a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Freshman infielder Jazmin Ramirez contributed with a groundout that brought home another run, and senior infielder Alex Bunton capped off the scoring for the inning with a single up the middle.
Erickson continued her strong showing in the fifth inning by hitting her third home run of the season. In the sixth, she added a two-RBI double to score Kroening and senior outfielder Kya Pratt. Another run was scored on a Fresno State error, making it 8-2 for Utah State. The final run came in the seventh when Pratt drew a bases-loaded walk.
Overall, Utah State recorded 12 hits during the game. Erickson led at the plate with three hits—including one home run and two doubles—four RBIs, and two runs scored. Bunton also had two hits along with freshman catcher Sofia Trejo and junior infielder Keely Goushá.
Senior right-hander Rylie Pindel pitched all seven innings for Utah State, allowing just four hits and two earned runs while striking out two batters and walking two to earn her fourth win of the year.
The Aggies will continue their road trip as they face Nevada next in Reno for part two of their three-game series on Saturday at 3 p.m., which will be streamed live on Mountain West Network.
