April 11, 2008

Box Score

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State softball fell to New Mexico State, 5-3, in Western Athletic Conference action at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field Friday afternoon.

The loss snapped the Northern Aggies three-game winning streak, as USU is now 11-22 overall and 2-7 in WAC play. NMSU improves to 20-27 on the year and 4-6 in conference action. Utah State is now 44-33 in the all-time series against New Mexico State.

New Mexico State struck first with a run in the top of the second and then tallied three more runs in the fourth, to take a 4-0 lead. USU responded in the bottom of the fourth to bring the score within one run, as the Northern Aggies brought in three runs on four hits.

Junior designated player Kayla Dunn started off the fourth with a single to left field, while senior third baseman Amy Schaible reached on a fielder's choice. Junior second baseman Jeanine Hernandez doubled to left center with one out to score both freshman pinch runner Jessica Law and Schaible. Sophomore center fielder Emily Reilly brought in Hernandez on a single to short, while sophomore left fielder Mikey Price popped up to third and freshman shortstop Kelley Kaneshiro flew out to center to end the Aggie rally.

NMSU scored another run in the visitor half of the fifth for the final score of the game.

USU junior pitcher Lindsey Benson struck out eight in seven innings as she falls to 10-15 on the season, while NMSU's Kim Watson pitched six and two thirds innings, striking out five and allowing six hits, evening her record to 14-14 overall.

Kaneshiro extends her hitting streak to 15 games, the current longest active streak in the WAC.

The navy-clad Aggies continue action against the maroon-clad Aggies on Saturday, April 12 with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field.