Angelique Mann went 3-for-3 and Brooke Saili pitched 5.2 strong innings, but two home runs from the visiting Utah State Aggies proved to be too much as the Utah Valley softball team fell 3-0 in its home opener Tuesday afternoon at Wolverine Softball Field. 

After the two teams traded zeroes for the first five innings, Utah State broke the deadlock with a pair of home runs — a two-run shot in the sixth by Jaden Colunga and a solo homer in the seventh by Ariel Fifita — to walk away with the victory. 

The Wolverines threatened in the bottom of the first, but were unable to break through. Taylor Wooten was hit by a pitch and Kalena Shepherd singled to give Utah Valley two baserunners with one out. Jaeden Barajas battled for a nine-pitch walk with two outs to load the bases, but Rylee Thorpe grounded out sharply to short on the first pitch she saw to end the threat.

The Aggies put a runner in scoring position in the fourth, but Saili was able to work out of the jam. A double and a single put runners at the corners with two outs, but Saili was able to get the next batter to pop out. 

The Wolverines put pressure on Utah State in the bottom of the seventh, as Mann picked up her third hit of the day and Payge Armendariz drew a pinch-hit walk, but Utah Valley was unable to make anything of it.

The Wolverines will look to rebound at the weekend as Utah Valley hosts WAC foe New Mexico State for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. MT, with the second game starting roughly 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The series finale on Saturday is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT. All three games will be streamed live on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at UVUStats.com.