Feb. 8, 2009
Final Stats
UTEP vs. Arizona State Box Score 
TEMPE, Ariz. - The UTEP softball team scored in all but the sixth inning to defeat the defending national champions, 7-4, No. 2 Arizona State, at Farrington Field on Sunday in Tempe, Ariz. The Miners move to 2-3 on the season.
"This was speechless," said co-head coach James Rodriguez. "It was a great way to finish the weekend"
"There's not very many times you get the opportunity to beat the No. 2 team in nation," Kathleen Rodriguez said.
Stacie Townsend was the winning pitcher to capture her third win over the Sun Devils and moves to 2-1 in 2009. The junior pitcher was a freshman when she swept ASU in 2007 from the circle.
Townsend was also a force at the plate, belting one of the Miners' two home runs in the game. It was her only hit of the day, a blast that added two runs on the board.
"This is a tribute to hard work, dedication and effort," Rodriguez said.
"This was definitely a team win," said Townsend. "We ended the weekend on a high and proved to ourselves what can happen when we play with heart and intensity."
Freshman Chelsea Troupe was 2-for-3 against ASU, including UTEP's second home run of the day, the first of her career.
The Miners utilized its powerful offense to connect for eight hits on the day, including two home runs.
UTEP's defense was also impressive, as diving catches and lob passes were able to keep the Sun Devils from reaching base.
UTEP was swift in its attack, opening up the first inning, leading off with a walk by Amber Bennett. Jennifer Davis followed with a single into left field and Camilla Carrera loaded the bases after drawing a walk.
"The girls came out with a lot of fire," said James Rodriguez. "It was a good way to start the game"
An out later, ASU's veteran pitcher, Megan Elliot, threw her third free pass of the inning to Troupe, brining Bennett home. The Miners scored again off a sacrifice fly by Ashley Ellis, to give the Miners the 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
Diving catches and lob passes were key to holding ASU's offense to just one hit in the first inning and keep the Miners' fire alive.
An out into the inning, Elliot walked her fourth batter of the game. Jennifer Stalter advance on a wild pitch and Bennett was able to bring her home off a single to centerfield.
ASU's head coach Clint Meyers had seen enough and replaced Elliot with freshman Hillary Bach. A double play ended the inning.
The Miners added a run in the top of the third with Townsend's long ball and one in the top of the fourth with a fielder's choice RBI by Bennett.
"I didn't think it was going over," said Townsend. "She has great speed and a great jump, she just ran out of room."
Stalter put all three batters away unassisted to keep Arizona State from reaching first in the third.
The Sun Devils, looking for an answer, opened the bottom of the fourth with a solo homer by Ashley Muenz. ASU was able to put a runner in scoring position with two outs on the board after a single and a walk.
Kaitlin Cochran stepped to the plate and belted ASU's second home run of the inning, good for three runs to bring the Sun Devils within two runs at 6-4.
After a scoreless sixth, the Miners opened the final frame with a double by Davis. Carrera singled, sending Davis to third and Townsend drove them home off a ground out.
The Sun Devils, would get one hit in the bottom of the seventh, but a fielder's choice ended any hopes of a comeback.
"I was excited and nervous," said Townsend. "I had to take a few deeps breath, but I knew my defense was playing great behind me."
"Hopefully we'll build on this win for the entire year, use this as a boost for the entire year," said Kathleen Rodriguez.
UTEP will look to carry the momentum into next week, as they head to the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, N.M. The Miners will take on I-10 rival New Mexico State Thursday, Feb. 12. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.
