Utah State University’s softball team is set to continue its non-conference schedule with a three-game series at Kansas before returning home for its earliest home opener since 1994. The Aggies, currently holding a 10-10 record, will play a doubleheader against the Jayhawks on Friday, March 6, and a single game on Saturday, March 7. The team will then face Idaho State at Johnson Field on Tuesday, March 10.
Live statistics for all games will be provided via StatBroadcast. Fans can watch the Kansas series on ESPN+ and the Idaho State matchup on the Mountain West Network. Updates and links are available through USU softball’s social media channels and UtahStateAggies.com.
Utah State has previously played Kansas seven times and leads the series 5-2, although Kansas won their last meeting in 2002 by a score of 8-0. Against Idaho State, the Aggies have a historical advantage as well, leading the series 31-22 over 53 meetings; however, Idaho State won two out of three games between the teams in 2025.
In home openers, Utah State holds an all-time record of 29-20 and has won four consecutive openers. Last season’s opener saw them narrowly defeat Utah Valley with a score of 9-8.
Last weekend at the Beehive Classic in St. George, Utah State posted one win against Southern Utah (2-1) but dropped four other games—falling to Utah Tech (4-0), Utah (11-0 in five innings), and twice to Utah Valley (13-7 and 10-1 in five innings). Freshman infielder Kate Vance led the team offensively during that stretch with a .308 average over five games.
Sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening has emerged as one of this season’s key players after serving primarily as a pinch runner last year: “Kroening has started all 15 games this season and ranks second on the squad with a .381 batting average (24-for-63).”
The Aggies’ fielding performance currently ranks them first in the Mountain West Conference and thirty-first nationally with a .977 fielding percentage. Nine players maintain perfect fielding records so far this season.
Senior infielder Kenzee Olsen had a standout moment earlier this year when she hit her first career grand slam—and first career home run—in an eventual win over Seton Hall: “With two outs and the bases loaded, Olsen hit a grand slam to left field to break open an eventual 8-3 victory.”
Entering this week’s contests, Utah State stands fifty-fourth nationally in doubles with thirty-three so far this season; senior outfielder Kya Pratt leads with six doubles among seven players who have recorded three or more.
The team’s strong start to its campaign included four wins at Texas A&M’s Aggie Classic in early February—outscoring opponents by eight runs across five games while limiting four opponents to two runs or fewer.
On pitching performances during opening week:
“Senior Emmalyn Brinka pitched two complete games, earning a shutout vs Abilene Christian and a near-shutout vs Providence while throwing a career-high nine strikeouts. She also earned a save in the second contest against ACU. On the week, she pitched 14.0 innings, allowing just a single run for a 0.50 ERA with seventeen strikeouts and just five hits allowed.”
“Senior Rylie Pindel threw six-and-two-thirds scoreless innings against Bryant before allowing a single run in a complete game performance.”
“Freshman Kendall Cochran was strong in her collegiate debut, throwing five-and-two-thirds innings with six strikeouts and just three hits allowed against Abilene Christian.”
Utah State returns twelve letterwinners from last year’s roster—including four senior starters: Kya Pratt (outfield), Alex Bunton (infield), Grace Matej (catcher), and Kaylee Erickson (catcher).
This season introduces ten newcomers: two transfers—junior infielder Keely Goushá from Boise State and freshman Kate Vance from Arizona—and eight freshmen from various high schools across multiple states.
The coaching staff now includes new assistant coaches Jared McDonald—a former Arizona State player—and Jada Cecil—a former UCLA pitcher.
Two Aggies were named preseason all-Mountain West selections by league coaches: senior catcher Grace Matej (“Matej is a two-time all-MW honoree…played in and started fifty of fifty-two games last year…posting .327 batting average”) and senior outfielder Kya Pratt (“Pratt had breakout season as junior…ranked fifth on squad with .363 batting average”).
Utah State set multiple offensive program records during its historic 2025 campaign—including highest batting average (.340), most hits (493), most runs scored (340), doubles (90), home runs (66), RBIs (319), total bases (807), slugging percentage (.557), walks drawn (181), hit-by-pitch instances (50) and on-base percentage (.428).
This marks USU’s final year competing within the Mountain West Conference before joining the Pac-12 starting July 1, where they will compete alongside existing members Oregon State and Washington State plus several incoming institutions such as Gonzaga.
Following these upcoming matchups versus Kansas and Idaho State, conference play begins March 13 at Fresno State.
