Freshman Pitcher Sets Utah State Softball Record In First Start

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State freshman Hailey McLean set a program record with 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning complete game against CSU Bakersfield.

The pitcher/outfielder was named the Mountain West’s Pitcher and Freshman of the Week, helping USU to a 2-3 record against Cal State Fullerton, CSU Bakersfield, Loyola Marymount & Cal.

Yeah, she's like that 🤘

Congrats, Hailey, on being named the Mountain West Pitcher AND Freshman of the Week!

🔗 https://t.co/kyRYztp6Wl#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/MRoUQ0RSxW

— USU Softball (@USUSoftball) February 14, 2023

In the Aggies 3-2 win against the Roadrunners of CSU Bakersfield, McLain set the UCLA Easton Stadium record, striking out 20 batters in the complete-game performance. McLain allowed just one earned run on three hits. She walked one batter and hit two others in the game.

McLain also made three starts in right field, finishing 1-of-8 (.125) at the dish with one RBI.

Quite the collegiate debut for @USUSoftball's Hailey McLean‼️

✅ 9️⃣-inning complete game W vs. CSUB
✅ 2️⃣0️⃣ strikeouts (Utah State record, one shy of tying MW record)
✅ MW Pitcher & Freshman of the Week#MakingHerMark | #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/yYGpBZGM8V

— Mountain West (@MountainWest) February 14, 2023

USU opened the tournament with a 2-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Cal-State Fullerton Titans. The Aggies managed just two hits in the loss. In the second of two games on February 10, Utah State scored 10 runs in the final three innings to run-rule CSU Bakersfield 10-2. Former Salt Lake Community College pitcher Nya Laing picked up the win for the Aggies.

On Saturday, USU played a pair of extra-inning games. The Aggies took a 3-0 lead against Loyola Marymount but a three-run sixth inning tied the score. LMU went on to win 4-3 in eight innings. The night-cap was McLain’s record-setting performance. USU banged out nine hits but could only scrape across three runs. Fortunately for them and McLain, it was enough for their second win of the weekend.

The Cal Bears blew out the Aggies 13-0 in the weekend’s final game.

About Hailey McLain

McLain was named the Gatorade Nevada Softball Player of the Year as a junior at Spanish Springs High School in 2021. Finished that season with a 16-1 record in the circle and a 1.01 earned run average across 111.1 innings. McLain did not allow an earned run across the final 61.2 innings pitched as a junior.

At the plate, the Northern 5A Region MVP hit .509 with two home runs and 23 runs batted in.

As a senior, McLain was named NSN Northern Nevada Female Athlete of the Year in 2022.

Up Next

Utah State heads back to California to participate in the Saint Mary’s Tournament on February 17-19. USU is scheduled to open the tournament against UC San Diego on Friday, February 17 with first pitch at 12:30 p.m. (MT). The tournament features Saint Mary’s, San Jose State, and UC San Diego.

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