March 20, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State softball opens Western Athletic Conference action at Reno, Nev. against Nevada on Friday and Saturday, March 21-22. Games start at 3 p.m. (MT) on both days, with a doubleheader scheduled for Friday.

The Aggies are 3-14 on the season after dropping two games in Provo, Utah on Tuesday, falling to South Dakota State, 2-1, then getting run-ruled by Brigham Young, 15-4, after five innings. USU is led by freshman SS Kelley Kaneshiro's .324 batting average, while junior P Lindsey Benson leads the team with a 4.94 ERA. As a team, Utah State is sixth in the WAC in stolen bases (17-21) and seventh in batting average (.218).

Nevada is 20-11 on the year, going 2-3 at the Capital Classic in Sacramento, Calif. last weekend. UNR picked up wins against Cal Poly (5-2) and Northern Colorado (9-0) Saturday before falling to California, 5-2, Sunday. Nevada is led by freshman C Noelle Micka's .440 average, while sophomore P Katie Holverson leads the squad with a 2.35 ERA. As a team, Nevada is first in the league in walks (100), second in batting (.304) and third in home runs (19). This will be the home opener for UNR as well as the conference opener.

Nevada leads the all-time series, 13-12, while USU defeated UNR last year, 7-5, on April 7, 2007. The win snapped the Aggies' 11-game losing streak against the Wolf Pack.

USU continues action on the road with a doubleheader at Orem, Utah against in-state rival Utah Valley on Tuesday, March 25. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. (MT). After opening the season with 22 games on the road, the Aggies finally open action at home on Wednesday, March 26 with a doubleheader against in-state foe Utah, starting at 2 p.m. (MT).