Aggie softball earns first double-digit win over Utah since 1976 with 12-2 victory Tuesday

LOGAN, UTAH – Cold weather and light snow could not stop the Utah State softball team as the red-hot Aggie offense led USU over in-state rival Utah, 12-2, in six innings Tuesday at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field. The 10-run margin of victory was the biggest since the Aggies defeated the Utes, 14-1 in 1976. This is the second-straight game that the Aggies have pounded out 12 runs, falling to Fresno State 16-12 on April 23. With the win, the Aggies improve to 11-38 this season, while the Utes fall to 27-18. The win halts a six-game losing streak against Utah. Utah State’s last win against Utah was 3-1 on March 26, 2008. Senior outfielder Joreigh Landers was 1-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI, smacking one of USU’s two home runs on the day, to lead the Aggie offense. Fellow senior infielder Kelley Kaneshiro was 2-for-3 with one run scored and three RBI. Utah jumped on the board first plating one run in the top of the second inning off of starting pitcher sophomore Shelbi Tyteca. With one out, Whitney Holm singled to right. Brittany Parker drove in Holm with a double to right. Tyteca was able to finish out the inning without any other runs crossing the plate. Utah State struck back with eight runs in the bottom of the second inning to break the game open. Freshman infielder Allison Lenzora started the inning with a walk and a stolen base. Senior outfielder Megan McDonald also walked before junior infielder Tatem Day sacrificed them both over. Freshman outfielder Krista Bava singled through the right side to plate both Lenzora and McDonald and put USU up 2-1. Kaneshiro also came up big with a bases-clearing double to left center to add three more runs to the tally to give the Aggies the 5-1 lead. Before the inning was over Utah State added three more runs, one of which was unearned to go up 8-1. In the third inning, sophomore Mandy Harmon replaced Tyteca in the circle. Harmon would pitch a perfect two innings allowing only one hit and striking out two. The Aggies used the long ball in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 12-1 advantage. With one out, Lenzora blasted her first collegiate home run of the season as the Aggies increased their lead to 9-1. After a McDonald fly out, Day walked and pinch hitter Katie Bowdidge got her first hit of the season. On the play there was an error that moved runners to second and third. Landers then sealed the win with a three-run home run to left, which was her first of the season and second of her Aggie career. Despite junior pitcher Dani Chaplin allowing one run in the top of the fifth inning, Utah State was able to preserve the 12-2 win. This was Utah State’s second run-rule win of the season also defeating Cal State Northridge, 9-1 in five innings on Feb 19. Harmon improved to 8-22 with the win, while Brittany Parker fell to 0-1 with the loss. Utah State will now travel to Reno, Nev., for a three-game Western Athletic Conference series with Nevada April 29-30. The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, April 29 at 3 p.m. (MT). The two teams will conclude the series with a single game on Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. Fans can follow USU softball on Twitter and Utah State Athletics at http://twitter.com/USUAthletics. -USU-

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