The UTEP softball team used the arm and bat of Kira McKechnie, who both won her third collegiate game as a pitcher and picked up her first hit and RBI as the Miners run-ruled Portland State, 9-1, in their first contest on day one of the UTEP Tournament at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex on Friday afternoon.

“The first win, it’s always nice to run-rule a team,” said fifth-year UTEP head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk in a release. “I think our pitchers did a great job keeping us in the ball game and our hitters came through in timely situations.”

In game two, Mariah Ellis drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the third inning as UTEP got by Idaho State, 4-2, on Friday night.

With the Miners (6-7) leading 2-0 heading into the top of the third, Emma Bordenkecher from Idaho State drove in a pair of runs to tie the game up 2-2. The Miners then responded with two of their own in the home half to claim the lead for good.

“As far as the second game, it was just a scrappy game, going back-and-forth,” Echo-Hawk said. “It wasn’t pretty and I don’t think we hit very well, but we found a way to score four runs. I think Idaho State, after losing 18-0 to NM State (earlier in day), they tried to prove a point and they’re better than their record indicates.”

GAME ONE: UTEP 9, Portland State 1 (5)

GAME TWO: UTEP 4, Idaho State 2

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UTEP will return to their home field for day two of the UTEP Tournament to take on Idaho State (3:30 p.m.) and Portland State (6 p.m.) on Saturday as all four contests (Idaho State vs. NM State [10:30 a.m.]; Portland State vs. NM State [6 p.m.]) are free in conjunction with National Girls and Women in Sports Day.