ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Utah State softball (19-35, 7-18 MW) saw its 2026 campaign come to a close Saturday afternoon at Lobo Softball Field in Albuquerque, falling in a 3-1 contest to New Mexico. 

The Lobos did the majority of their scoring early, putting two runs on the board in the first inning. These were the only runs for either side until the fifth inning, when the Aggies got on the board with a sacrifice fly from sophomore outfielder Faith Kroening to bring senior infielder Kenzee Olsen home from third and cut the deficit in half. With a chance to tie or take the lead, USU left a pair of runners stranded. 

New Mexico brought its lead back to two the following inning with a solo home run to make it 3-1. In need of a pair of runs, the Aggies were able to get two runners on while down to their final out, but a strikeout ended the comeback attempt. 

Utah State totaled five hits while allowing seven. Kroening and junior outfielder Keely Goushá recorded multiple hits, each going 2-for-3 at the plate. 

The duo of freshman Kendall Cochran and senior Rylie Pindel split pitching duties for USU, Cochran getting the start and pitching 5.1 innings with two earned runs, Pindel entering in the fifth and going the rest of the way without a hit or earned run. 

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 -