Editor’s Note: This is not the most recent UTEP softball game.

The UTEP softball team ran away with two victories against Florida International University (FIU) in a series of intense matches. Both games were filled with many highlights for both teams, but the Miners’ performance proved exceptional.

GAME ONE:

In game one, the Miners struck gold in almost all categories of performance. Graduate student pitcher Taja Felder, only allowed four hits across 7 innings, got no walks from a single player at bat, and forced 11 groundouts. The Miners’ defense was able to match a program-best of four double plays; a feat not accomplished since April 30, 2023. The first two innings saw little movement from both teams, but the Miners struck into the fourth inning. Junior outfielder Halle Hogan scored on a deep triple to right center from sophomore infielder Madi Mendoza after being hit from a pitch. This action would then make the score 1-0.

This fueled the Miners for the fifth inning with a dominant performance from much of the team. Junior utility Bri Garcia turned up the heat with a solo home run to left field. Soon freshman outfielder Brantly Lavas and senior outfielder Ashlynn Griffith would follow suit with a fielder’s choice/single. Junior infielder Iliana Munoz and freshman outfielder Cece Marquez would assist senior infielder Ajia Richard.

Richard would hit a three-run home run which in turn would stretch the lead to the Miners in a score of 5-0. A sacrifice fly by Mendoza would bring freshman infielder Marrissa Burchard to home plate and make the score 6-0. Richard finished off the game with a flurry of highlights including a run-batted-in (RBI) double in the sixth inning and making a 2-for-4 with a run and four RBI. The final score would be 7-0 with the Miners running away quickly with the win.

GAME TWO:

Many highlights were made in game two including Head Coach TJ Hubbard’s 300th win in his career. The Miners nabbed another victory in game two with a final score of 16-6. This game marked the third time UTEP has made four home runs in a single game, tying the program’s 10th most runs in a game, and 5th most RBIs in a single game.

The fuse was lit immediately with FIU scoring in the top of the inning. With a 2-0 lead from the Panthers, the Miners knew they had to act fast. The Miners would score and end off a 5-2 lead from a grand slam from senior catcher Kenna Carranza. Like clockwork, Garcia would make a solo homer pushing UTEP to a six-run inning. FIU would fight back with runs of their own, but Felder’s pitching would limit more batters from scoring.

Things would shake up in the fifth inning as one more score from FIU couldn’t stop the Miners’ momentum. The team would push through and with a walk off grand slam from Garcia, the Miners would sweep the game with 16-6, marking UTEP’s second CUSA sweep of the season. 

The Miners’ following matchup was April 22 in Albuquerque to face off against the University of New Mexico.

Catching Marginot is a contributor and can be reached at hcmarginot@miners.utep.edu.