The UTEP softball team (12-23, 2-10 Conference-USA) lost 8-2 and were swept in the series against the University of North Texas (21-7, 10-2) April 3 at Lovelace Stadium.

The Miners will try to re-group as New Mexico State University (NMSU) comes to town on April 5 in a one-game series.

To start off this matchup in the first inning, junior pitcher Isabella Kelly was able to keep the runners at bay, allowing no hits or runs. However, in the bottom of the first inning, the Miners could not get any offense going.

In the top of the second inning, the Miners were able to grab an early 1-0 lead after a homerun from redshirt junior infielder Pate Cathey.

Kelly was able to keep UNT scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning, freshman pitcher Alajiah Alarcon took over for Kelly, which allowed runs to be scored.

UNT was able to take advantage of the change and take a 2-1 lead in this contest.

In the top of the fifth inning, sophomore first baseman Anna Sample hit a home run for the Miners to tie the score at 2-2.

At the bottom of the fifth inning, UNT was able to claim a 3-2 lead after a homerun.

UNT was able to take that momentum and score another run to take a 4-2 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, UNT pushed their lead to 6-2 off a two-run home run. Later, in the same inning, UNT hit another two-run homer to extend their lead to 8-2. Sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Collins came in for relief, but the damage was already done by the Mean Green.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Miners tried to score, but could not seem to get anyone on base at all as the Mean Green’s pitching really turned up the heat on the batters.

The Miners just could not get anything going in the final inning and lost in this contest with 8-2 being the final score.

UNT pitcher that turned up the heat on the Miners in the seventh inning was freshman right hand pitcher Skylar Savage; she held the Miners to no runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Miners can be seen back in action for the final game of the series against New Mexico State University at 6 p.m. April 5 at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.

Daniel Alec Lopez is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected].