Utah State University’s softball team lost both of its games on the second day of the Beehive Classic in St. George, Utah, falling to the University of Utah and Utah Valley University on Saturday at Karl Brooks Field.
In their first game, the Aggies were defeated by Utah 11-0 in five innings. The Utes broke open a scoreless tie with a nine-run second inning, taking advantage of walks and hit batters before adding more runs with singles and a three-RBI double. Utah added two more runs in the third inning. Utah State managed three hits but left four runners on base. Four pitchers took the circle for USU, with junior Emmalyn Brinka starting and being charged with the loss after pitching 1.1 innings.
The Aggies faced Utah Valley in their second game of the day, losing 13-7. UVU scored twice in the first inning, but Utah State responded with three runs in their half of the frame, highlighted by an RBI groundout from freshman Jazmin Ramirez and a two-RBI single from freshman Kate Vance. However, UVU regained control with back-to-back three-run innings in the second and third.
Utah State rallied for four runs in the fourth inning—freshman Haylee Lopez doubled home a run, senior Grace Matej followed with a two-RBI double, and sophomore Faith Kroening singled for another RBI—but could not keep pace as UVU scored five times in the sixth. Kroening led USU offensively by going 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored; Matej, Vance, and Lopez each had two hits.
Senior Rylie Pindel started for USU against UVU and was charged with eight earned runs over 2.2 innings pitched.
Utah State (10-9) will play its final game at the Beehive Classic against tournament host Utah Tech on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., which will be streamed free via WAC International.
“Utah put nine runs on the board in the second before picking up a second out,” according to a statement from Utah State Athletics. “The Utes quickly loaded the bases, before back-to-back walks resulted in RBIs, then back-to-back hit by pitches made it a 4-0 game.”
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