May 8, 2008
Final Stats
• C-USA Championship Central
Friday Semifinals vs. UCF: Watch | Gametracker
HOUSTON, Texas - In its first-ever conference championship appearance, the sixth-seeded UTEP softball team defeated No. 3 Tulsa, 8-4, to advance to the semifinals of the Conference USA Softball Championships in Houston, Texas.
The victory improves the Miners to 30-23, the first 30-win season in program history.
"They fought," said co-head coach Kathleen Rodriguez. "They battled and fought for this game. We wanted to make sure we didn't take anything for granted today. The girls played with so much heart and emotion. It was amazing."
Ashley Perez, who finished the day going 3-for-4 set three championship records. The El Paso native belted two home runs, added six RBI and contributed three runs.
Stacie Townsend also had an impressive outing, as she was 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored.
Nichole Tunget received the win in the circle. The senior, came in relief for Townsend, struck out three batters and scattered five hits with one run scored, to move to 9-6 with the win. Renee DiPuccio received the save, her second of the season.
The Miners were quick to start as Amber Bennett singled into the outfield with one out on the board. Carrera drew a walk and Townsend hit the ball into short left field to load the bases.
A fly-out later, Perez launched the ball straight over the centerfield fence for UTEP's second grand slam of the season and Perez's second in her career giving the Miners the 4-0 lead in the top of the first.
"I was just tryingto pu the ball in play," Perez said. "I was just doing my job and came through today."
Tulsa answered back with three runs after Tulsa's Lauren Lindsay was hitch by a pitch. She advanced to second off a passed ball. Christian Timmons followed with a fly ball that hit the foul poll for a two-run homer to bring the score to 4-2, UTEP.
Sara Dyer drew a walk from Townsend and a sacrifice bunt moved her into scoring position.Vanessa Vice singled, plating Timmons to bring the Golden Hurricane within one, 4-3.
After a 30-minute first inning, the two teams remained scoreless until the Miners added insurance runs in the top of the fifth.
Townsend opened with her third single of the day. Simone Holland drew a walk. Perez posted her fifth RBI of the game, breaking the C-USA record, as she sailed the ball up the middle, plating Townsend. With Holland on second, Shea Lodes, who pinch hit for Ashley Ellis, knocked the ball into right field, driving Holland home. A groundout to the pitcher followed, advancing Ellis and Perez. Rachel Schaeffer sailed the ball into deep right field, plating Perez on the sacrifice fly.
The Golden Hurricane had a bases loaded opportunity in the bottom of the frame, but were only able to capture one run off an RBI-single by Dyer.
Perez blasted her second long ball of the day in the top of the seventh for her second round-tripper of the day. The same game long ball tied the championships record set by Kattrina Dowd (DePaul) in 2003.
The Miners put away Tulsa in order for the 8-4 victory.
"This was a huge win for us," said Townsend. "This is definitely a team win. We came out as a team and played hard and good. We need to come out and do the same tomorrow."
The Miners will face second-seeded UCF in Friday's semifinal game. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
"We are facing one of the best pitchers in the nation (Allison Kime)," said Rodriguez. "We need to keep playing with the heart and emotion we played with today and go out ready to play like we did today."
