OREM, Utah – Utah State softball (19-28, 7-12 MW) fell in an in-state road battle Tuesday night at Wolverine Softball Field in Orem, losing to Utah Valley 10-4. 

Utah State had to overcome an early deficit in this one, as the Wolverines put a pair of runs on the board with back-to-back RBI doubles in the second inning. The 2-0 lead was short-lived, however, as the Aggies countered with three of their own in the third. A leadoff single by sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening, followed by another from senior infielder Alex Bunton, paid off when RBI singles from senior outfielder Kya Pratt, senior catcher Grace Matej and sophomore catcher Jaelyn Castillo put three runs on the board.

The Aggies extended their lead in the fourth with a sacrifice fly from Bunton to score Kroening, who made her way to third on a triple. A two-run home run in the bottom of the inning by the hosts evened the game at 4-4. UVU then regained the lead in the fifth, scoring two runs on a throwing error, and another on a bases-loaded walk. 

Both teams finished with 12 hits. For USU, it was Kroening leading the way with a 3-for-4 hitting performance with a double and a triple. Pratt, Matej and Castillo each collected two hits apiece. 

Utah State utilized five different pitchers. Senior Sydney Saldaña started the game, her first start of the season, pitching 2.0 innings. Freshman Jordyn Lish took the next 2.0 innings, before seniors Denay Smith, Carly Limosnero and Rylie Pindel combined for the final 2.0 innings. 

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Utah State (19-28, 7-12 MW) will return home for its final home series of Mountain West play, hosting Colorado State for three-games April 24-26. 

For more information on the Utah State softball program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUSoftball, on Facebook at USUSoftball and on Instagram at ususoftball.

- USU -