Complete Release in PDF Format 
Complete Release in PDF Format
March 4, 2009
Final Stats
TUCSON, Ariz. - The 11th-ranked Arizona Wildcats won both ends of a doubleheader, defeating UTEP, 20-1 and 5-2, on Wednesday at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. The Miners fall to 11-11 with the losses and Arizona improves to 16-4.
The Miners had a hard day in the circle, giving up combined 20 hits on the day.
Stacie Townsend (7-7), who received both losses, and Kelly Curran walked 12 batters in the day's opener and Curran had the only strike out of the game.
Townsend bounced back in the nightcap to fan four and only earned three of the five runs in the game.
Arizona was quick to work Townsend, drawing three consecutive walks to load the bases. An out later, Stacie Chambers drew another free pass for the Arizona's first run of the game and an RBI. With the bases loaded, Lini Koria laced a base clearing home run that gave the Cats the 5-0 lead. Townsend was replaced by Curran, who put two away to end the inning.
UTEP answered back with a run in the top of the second that started with a two-out single by Ashley Ellis. Jennifer Davis hit the ball to right-center, scoring Ellis for the 5-1 score.
The Cats opened the bottom of the frame with a walk by Karissa Buchanan, but was caught stealing by UTEP's Camilla Carrera. Brittany Lestrapes drew another walk and K'Lee Arredondo forced the Miners to commit a two-base error that put the two base runners in scoring position.
Jenae Leles loaded the bases, drawing the seventh free pass of the game. Chambers singled into right field, plating Lestrapes. After two innings, the score was 6-1.
Lestrapes went yard in the bottom of the third with two on base and after another walk by Arredondo, Chambers recorded her third RBI of the day with a single to right field. Koria loaded the bases with another free pass to first and Kristen Arriola hit Arizona's second grand slam of the game, brining the score to 14-1.
Arizona continued to bruise the Miners when pinch-hitter, Alicia Banks slammed the Cat's third long ball of the game for two more runs. An out later, Sam Banister doubled in top the left field gap and Chamber singled to move her to third. Koria doubled, driving the two runners home and Ariola went yard for the second time to bring the score to 20-1.
UTEP's offense was held to just three hits - one each by Bennett, Ellis and Davis.
The nightcap was a different story as neither team developed an offence until the fourth inning.
The Miners were first on the board, as Carrera drew a walk in the top of the fourth with one out. Townsend doubled to center field, pushing Carrera to third and Bennett drove her home with a sacrifice fly for the 1-0 UTEP lead.
Arizona was quick to fire back, as Koria led off the bottom of the frame with a double to right field. Arriola attempted a sacrifice bunt, but was called safe after a throw to UTEP's Davis, who was covering first, dropped the ball. Koria scored on the error to knot the game at 1-1.
UTEP answered back as Davis made up for her error in the fifth inning by smashing the ball over center field for UTEP's 26th long ball of the season and the 2-1 UTEP lead.
Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, as Lestrapes laced a two-run home run over center field. The Wildcats did not stop there, as a fielding error by UTEP's Diana Parada allowed Banister to get to first safely. Jill Malina came in to pinch run and Chambers went yard for the second time in the inning goo for two more runs.
The Miners need to add three runs to stay alive but two ground outs to third base made it difficult. Chelsea Troupe singled past shortstop but another ground out to third ended all hopes as the Miners fell 5-2.
After connecting for just three hits in the opening game, UTEP connected for six in the nightcap.
UTEP looks to bounce back as they open Conference USA action at home against Memphis. The three-game series opens with a doubleheader at 3 p.m. on Saturday and ends in a single game at 12 p.m. Sunday.
