By: Drew Bonney, Assistant Director of Media Relations
EL PASO, Texas – A day after losing to NM State twice in Las Cruces, the UTEP softball team bounced back after defeating the El Paso Community College softball team 24-5 in game one and 7-1 in game two Sunday afternoon at Helen of TroySoftball Complex.
“It was nice to see them get out and play and, obviously, we still need a lot of work to do but we had some positive things happen,” head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk said. “Our pitchers rebounded nicely from Saturday after getting beat up little bit but did a great job keeping (EPCC) off balance. The defense worked better as a unit and our offensive production was a thousand times better and seemed confident to put runners across the plate. Overall it was a great team effort because everybody contributed.”
Senior Alanna Leasau connected on two grand slams – both to left center – in the second inning of game one. Leasau is not stranger to the feat as she hit two grand slams a win over Mississippi Valley State on March 15, 2013. Her eight RBI in that game is currently a school record. Leasau finished with nine RBI on the day.
Junior Samantha Alvillar made her return to the Sun City with a four-hit performance, including an inside-the-park homerun. Alvillarfinished with five RBI and four runs scored in game one. Classmate McKenzeyFinley was productive at the dish as she went 3-for-4 with two RBI, a walk and four runs scored. Junior Ashley Eldridge, a day after hitting a homerun at NM State, recorded two hits, an RBI and three runs scored.
Senior Laura Ramos and freshman Kaitlin Fifield combined for four innings pitched and zero earned runs in game one.
In game two, junior Tahla Wade, senior Colleen Hohman, and sophomore Kawehiokalani Netane each notched an RBI, while Ramos contributedtwo. Netane, Eldridge and senior Miraya Montiel each stole a base.
Miners return back to action on Friday, Oct. 11 against Midland at Helen of Troy Softball Field. Game one of the doubleheader is set for a 3 p.m. MT start and game two is slated for 5 p.m.
