UTEP softball kicks off their 2022 season this spring with the UTEP Invitational. 

The Miners have a weekend of doubleheaders Feb. 10-11, which wraps up with a game Feb. 13. UTEP is set to begin its season with a home opener against Idaho State Thursday, Feb. 10 and concludes the weekend of the UTEP invitational with a game against Abilene Christian Sunday, Feb. 13. 

UTEP softball is set to host 11 of its 28 non-conference games and will participate in tournaments such as the Littlewood Classic Feb. 18-20 and the Lobo Classic Feb. 24-27. The Miners are set to take on four Power 5 schools, including Big 10 affiliate University of Minnesota and PAC-12 affiliates University of California, Berkely, Arizona State University and University of Arizona. 

UTEP will reignite the rivalry of the Battle of I-10 when the Miners travel to New Mexico to play New Mexico State University at 6 p.m. Mar. 2; UTEP will later host NMSU at 6 p.m. Apr. 5. 

In conference play, the Miners will host four of its eight conference games beginning March 11 when UTSA comes down to the Sun City for a three-game series. UTEP will also host Louisiana Tech March 25-27 and Middle Tennessee April 22-24 and it will close out conference play against UAB May 6-8. 

During the fall season, head coach T.J. Hubbard added additional talent to the 2022-2023 roster. UTEP welcomed infielders, teammates, Marijn Crouwel (C/3B) and Hunter Harkrider (SS) from Odessa College, Virgina Tech transfer Kaylee Hewitt, Cal State Northridge transfer outfielder Savannah Favre, and infielder from Grayson College Cheyenne Stark (C/UTL). 

For the 2023 season, Hubbard added pitcher Breanna Ford from Calallen High School. 

“We are excited to welcome Breanna to UTEP,” Hubbard said in a news release from UTEP Athletics. “She is a talented lefty that will add a new dimension to our pitching staff.  Breanna comes from a well-coached high school and travel team.  Her skill set and competitiveness will be a welcome addition to our team. We can’t wait to see Breanna in El Paso next fall!” 

Along with welcoming some talent to UTEP, Hubbard also added Ohio State alumna and pitching coach Lena Springer. Springer spent two years at Delaware State leading the pitching staff. 
Springer brings a Power-5 playing experience at UCF (2013-14) and Ohio State (2014-17), participating in three NCAA Regional Tournaments, once with UCF and twice with Ohio State. Springer completed her senior season with a 2.74 ERA, 8-4 record, and ranked second on the Buckeyes with 74 innings pitched. 

“Springer has experience at a high level playing in the Big 10 and even on the international stage,” Hubbard said. “I believe her experience as a player, as well as an instructor, will help lead some of these newcomers that we have as well as the program itself to a whole other level within Conference USA and even on a regional scale.” 

UTEP starts its 2022 season when it hosts Idaho State University in a doubleheader game at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10.  

All stats and quotes for UTEP courtesy of UTEP Athletics.  

Katrina Villarreal is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected].