Courtesy of UTEP Athletics
EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP softball team opened the 2014 fall season with a pair of victories over Odessa College. The Miners won game one, 16-5, while rallying to take game two, 10-6, on Sunday at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
Second-year head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk finally got to see the program’s new softball recruits mesh with the veterans during a competitive collegiate contest.
“We have a great group of newcomers,” Echo-Hawk said. “When you mix those with our returners, I think we’ll be pretty good. We just need to work out some of the kinks. And again, I think our offensive production is one of our strong points.”
The Miners hit .290 as a team during the 2014 season (third best average in program history).
As far as success, freshman infielder Courtney Clayton produced four total RBI (three in game one and one in game two). Clayton posted an RBI triple, an RBI double and a single in game one, while notching another RBI double in game two during the comeback win.
“Courtney Clayton had a great day,” Echo-Hawk said. “She pretty solid offensively and defensively I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Sophomore transfer Kiki Pepi tallied a couple singles, and a double, including an RBI in game one. Freshman Hope Moreno recorded an RBI on a sac-fly to center that brought in the go-ahead run during game two. Moreno also drove in a run during game one.
Junior Kawehiokalani Netane drove in three runs in game two, including a two-run blast over left field to start the rally. Senior Tahla Wade recorded a stolen base in game one and an RBI during the game two rally.
Other newcomers tallied RBI during the day, including sophomore transfer Erica Chasco (two) and freshman Taylor Sargent (one). Redshirt freshman Summer Palipti, who came back from an injury, recorded an RBI.
Freshman Dani Fincham struggled during a start in game two, but rebounded to post outs for the Miners.
“I like how our freshman Dani Fincham responded,” Echo-Hawk said. “She started rough, but I brought her back into the game and she pretty much shut them down. That’s progress.”
Other pitchers were effective for the Miners, as Danielle Pearson (three) and Erika Harrawood (four) combined for seven strikeouts, and Jade Rodriguez closed out game two.
The Miners will look to make more progress as they take on rival NM State on Oct. 8 (7 p.m.) at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex. Admission is free to all fans.
