Courtesy of UTEP Athletics
EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP softball team needed hope in the eighth inning Wednesday night, and the Miners received it. Freshman Hope Moreno blasted a solo home run over the left field fence, with two outs to tie the contest. UTEP and NM State finished the fall exhibition game in a 4-4 tie (nine innings) at Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
The Aggies got on the board first with a run on an error to take the early advantage in the first inning. The Miners would answer, as sophomore Yvette Ortega hit a blooper over the second baseman with two outs on a 3-1 pitch, scoring freshman Taylor Sargent from second to tie the game 1-1 in the second inning.
Staci Rodriguez, who’s been a UTEP nemesis for years, connected on a two-out, full-count pitch, as the senior hit a solo home run, giving the Aggies a 2-1 lead in the third. NM State would score another run in the fifth inning on another UTEP error.
The Miners would rally though.
With the score 3-1 in the sixth inning, freshman Linda Garcia, in her only at bat, doubled down the left field line to start the rally. Moreno grounded out to second, scoring Garcia to get within a run.
Following the clutch plays by the freshmen, the seniors stepped up. Ashley Eldridge singled, followed by a stolen base, while advancing to third on the Moreno groundout. Tahla Wade knocked in Eldridge on a bunt to tie the game 3-3.
The Aggies took the lead again in the eighth inning when freshman Dallas McBride plated Fiana Finau on a single to right.
Offensively, the Miners connected on 13 hits during the evening. Senior Samantha Alvillar tallied two singles, while freshman Courtney Clayton doubled and singled. Sargent walked, singled and scored a run, while Eldridge posted two singles.
In the circle, sophomore Erika Harrawood (four innings) started the game, striking out two, while sophomore Kaitlin Fifield (five innings) fanned seven batters. Two of the four runs scored by the Aggies were unearned.
UTEP will close out its fall home schedule on Friday against Midland College (4 p.m.). The exhibition will go for 10 innings. Admission is free to all fans.
