Utah State softball lost to UNLV 12-8 on April 12, closing out a two-game series at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Aggies took an early lead with two runs in the first inning, thanks to an RBI single from senior outfielder Kya Pratt and a sacrifice fly by senior infielder Kaylee Erickson. However, UNLV responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
In the second inning, Utah State added three more runs on a home run by sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening, marking her second home run of both the season and her career. UNLV answered again with three runs of its own in the same frame. The teams were tied at six after freshman infielder Kate Vance hit an RBI single for Utah State in the third inning, but UNLV regained control with one run in the third and two more in the fourth. The Aggies had runners in scoring position during the fifth but could not capitalize.
UNLV extended its lead to 9-6 before adding three insurance runs in the sixth inning. In their final push during the seventh, Utah State scored on an Erickson solo home run and an RBI single from junior infielder Keely Goushá but fell short.
Kroening led Utah State offensively, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Goushá contributed by going 2-for-3 with a walk. Overall, Utah State recorded ten hits compared to twelve for UNLV.
Four pitchers took turns for Utah State: senior Rylie Pindel started and pitched 1.2 innings allowing five earned runs; freshman Jordyn Lish followed for 1.1 innings giving up three earned runs; freshman Kendall Cochran pitched another 2.1 innings also allowing three earned runs; and senior Sydney Saldaña finished by recording two outs without surrendering any runs.
Utah State (16-25 overall, 5-11 Mountain West) is scheduled to return home tomorrow to face No. 1 Texas Tech at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field at 4 p.m., with streaming available on Mountain West Network.
