March 22, 2009
Final Stats
UTEP vs. Houston Box Score 
EL PASO, Texas - Becky Smith laced her first career home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, to lift the Miners past Houston, 9-6, en route to capturing the conference series, 2-1.
The Miners move to 15-16 for 2009 and 4-5 in Conference USA and Houston falls to 13-14, and 4-4 in league action.
Smith's belt was the second career homer in as many days for a UTEP newcomer as Diana Parada smashed her first career dinger on Saturday against the Cougars. The long ball also adds to the Miners' season tally of 39. Smith finished the day with two runs on two hits and four RBIs.
The Miners came back after trailing 5-2 in four and a half innings of play, to combine for seven runs on seven hits in UTEP's final two at bats.
The two teams recorded another offensive display, as each team posted 10 hits apiece. Jennifer Davis had four of the Miners' 10 smacks, going 4-for-4 with two runs.
Stacie Townsend earned the victory and moves to 8-10 on the season. She allowed six runs (five earned), scattered six hits and struck out two batters. Kelly Curran received the save after coming in relief to pitch the final two-thirds of the seventh.
Houston's Amanda Crabtree (7-0) suffered the loss, despite fanning 10 of UTEP's batters.
The Cougars opened the final game of the series scoring one run in the top of the first off an RBI double by Christa Raley.
The Miners answered with one run of their own in the bottom of the second after Kristin Lusby reached on a Cougar error and came home by off a double by Camilla Carrera.
The Cougars took a two run lead in the third frame off three hits including a bases loaded walk.
But the Miners had another answer, as a sacrifice squeeze by Smith plated Chelsea Troupe to bring the Miners within one run.
The Miners found themselves in another comeback situation as Houston scored two runs in the top of the fifth after Elaina Nordstrom went yard and Melissa Gregson knocked the ball to left field for an RBI.
Scoring five runs in the fifth stanza, the Miners staged their second comeback of the series that started with a double by Troupe. Davis singled and Ashley Ellis reached on a hit-by-pitch to load the bases.
Smith chipped a short single to right-center, scoring Troupe. With the bases still loaded, Shea Lodes drew a walk, sending Davis home on a free pass for the RBI. Carrera then singled up the middle, plating Smith and Lodes for the 7-5 UTEP advantage.
The Miners added insurance runs in the sixth frame as Smith hit her home run off over the left field wall, good for two runs and a 9-5 lead.
Houston was able to score once in the top of the seventh, but that was all they would muster as Curran put away the final three batters for the save.
The Miners hit the road for five road series before returning home on April 10 to resume conference action against East Carolina.
The Orange and Blue first head to San Antonio, Texas to face UTSA in a doubleheader on Tues. April 24 then head to San Marcos to play Texas State in a single game.
The Miners resume conference play when they head to Birmingham, Ala. to face UAB and then hit the road for a pair of games at Tennessee Tech and a single outing at Tennessee.
