April 10, 2009
Final Stats
UTEP vs. East Carolina Game 1 
UTEP vs. East Carolina Game 2
EL PASO, Texas - East Carolina defeated the UTEP Miners, 2-0 and 7-1, sweeping a twinbill from UTEP at Helen of Troy Field on Friday. The Miners fall to 21-21 overall and move to 6-8 in league action.
Camilla Carrera knocked in UTEP's only run of the day as part of a 5-for-7 effort in the doubleheader including a 3-for-4 showing in the nightcap.
Stacie Townsend (13-13) and Kelly Curran (7-7) had a rough day in the circle, each taking a loss. Townsend gave up two runs, scattered five hits and fanned six. Curran, who was relieved after five and one thirds innings, gave up seven runs on 11 hits and walked three.
UTEP struggled to find their bats in the first game, connecting for just three hits, but recovered in the nightcap, shattering 10 in the second.
The Miners left five runners stranded in opening game, as East Carolina's Toni Paisley held the Orange and Blue to just three hits. Paisley punched out 13, scattered three hits and walked one, securing her 20th victory of the season, moving to 21-6.
The Pirates opened the doubleheader with a two-out single by Jessica Johnson. Cristen Aona followed with a two run long ball giving East Carolina a 2-0 lead after three and a half innings of play.
The Miners were never able to produce an offense, as the Pirate's two runs were the only scores of the game.
UTEP opened the nightcap with a rally as Amber Bennett, Carrera and Townsend each knocked singles to load the bases. With one out on the board, Jennifer Davis lined out to first base and Shea Lodes grounded out to third ending the threat and leaving three runners stranded.
The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, as Marina Gusman-Brown worked Curran for a walk. She stole base as Christina Merrida swung on a strike. Gusman-Brown came home when Merrida laced a line drive to left center for the RBI.
The drive continued as Tiffany Shaw walked to first. Angel Barrella drove in the Pirate's second run of the game with a single to left field. She advanced to second on the throw. Sumner worked Curran for the third walk of the inning, giving the Pirates a bases loaded opportunity with two outs. UTEP's Ashley Ellis saved the threat, catching a line drive to right field.
East Carolina added its third run in the fourth stanza as Kaui Tom, who reached on a UTEP error, came home off a sacrifice fly by Johnson.
UTEP scored a run in the fifth, ending a 22 inning drought, as Carrera's belt up the middle plated Troupe.
The inning started as Smith drew a walk from ECU's Brooke Swan. Kristin Lusby, who pinch hit, reached first on a fielder's choice, with Smith out on the play. Troupe put Lusby in scoring position, sending a short single to right field.
With Bennett at the plate, the Pirate's catcher, Tiffany Shaw fumbled the pitch. As the ball dropped, Troupe and Lusby attempted the steal, but Lusby was called out at third. Bennett singled to get to first and advanced Troupe to third. Carrera sent the ball to center field, driving in Troupe for the 3-1 score. Townsend struck out swinging to end the inning.
East Carolina added insurance in the top of the sixth, scoring four runs on five hits to take a 7-1 lead.
The Miners tried to rally in the final frame, as Lusby knocked her first career double to left field with one out on the board. Troupe followed with a double that hit the center field fence advancing Lusby to third. That was all the Miners could muster, as Bennett struck out and Carrera lined out.
The series concludes Saturday at noon. UTEP will take to the road for a three game conference series at Southern Miss on April 18.
