By Sara Biela
San Jose State softball heads to Logan, Utah for its last and most important conference matchup against eighth-place Utah State.
The Spartans (30-15, 14-6 MW) sit one game back of conference-leading Fresno State in the Mountain West, with Boise State also currently tied for second.
The three-game series against the Aggies (17-29, 6-12 MW) will be the deciding factor for SJSU and postseason implications.
The USU offense is combining for a .274 batting average with senior Brina Buttacavoli on top at .341.
The catcher’s nine doubles, nine home runs and 38 RBIs leads her team.
SJSU will have to pay close attention to Utah State’s base running as the team is listed 30th in the country with 1.67 stolen bases per game. In total, the Aggies have stolen 77 bases in 46 contests.
Senior center fielder Jazmin Clarke’s 27 stolen bases in 28 attempts is good for 25th in the nation.
Freshman right fielder Leah Molina and junior pinch runner Mia Maher follow suit, with Molina stealing 23 bases on 31 attempts and Maher having 13 on 15 attempts.
However, the Spartans know how to execute with opposing runners by turning two. The team is rated 12th in the country in double plays with 24 in 45 games.
In the circle, USU pitching combines for a 3.97 ERA. Freshman Delaney Hull (8-8) and sophomore Kellie White (6-15) take command by starting 39 of 46 games.
Hull records a 2.74 ERA with 12 complete games and three shutouts. White holds a 4.22 ERA and leads the team with two saves and 94 strikeouts in 119.1 innings pitched.
SJSU’s ability to get on base will look to do some damage against the Aggies’ young pitching staff. The team ranks 26th in the nation with an .396 on-base percentage.
In order to reclaim first place in the MW and secure an NCAA postseason bid, the Spartans will need to continue their winning ways.
First pitch on Friday at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field is set for 3 p.m.
Follow Sara on Twitter @sarabielaa