By Sara Biela
Utah State’s Amee Aarhus put a wrench in San Jose State softball’s conference standing as the third baseman hit a walk-off single to win Game 2 of the series, 3-2.
The Spartans’ (31-16, 15-7 MW) offense went cold and was held to two hits after a productive first inning.
Junior first baseman Madison Aurin gave SJSU a 1-0 lead with an RBI triple that scored sophomore second baseman Cassidy Clark.
Sophomore left fielder Kaelin Amrein followed with an RBI single up the middle and extended the Spartans lead to two after one frame.
The Aggies’ (18-30, 7-13 MW) first scoring opportunities came in the second and third frames.
Senior center fielder Brittany Abacherli ended both threats and kept the game scoreless with a pair of defensive plays.
However, third time was the charm for USU in the fourth inning. With bases loaded, freshman second baseman Stephanie Reed knotted the game at two with a two-run single.
While the Aggies offense kept consistency, the Spartans bats fell asleep for the rest of the game. Freshman Delaney Hull held SJSU to four hits in seven innings.
Going into the bottom of the seventh still tied at two, SJSU needed the game to go into extra innings.
With two on and two outs, Aarhus didn’t get the memo. She singled to left field and scored freshman designated hitter Leah Molina to end the game.
Aurin (15-12) came in relief for freshman Caroline Bowman in the fifth inning and gave up the game-winning hit to Aarhus.
SJSU will have wait on the results from Fresno State and Boise State’s Saturday matchups to determine if it will stay in first-place or move back down to second.
The Spartans will look to take the series in Sunday’s rubber match at 11 a.m.
Follow Sara on Twitter @sarabielaa