March 17, 2015
EL PASO, Texas - The UTEP softball team will renew its rivalry against NM State, as the two programs will meet for the 33rd time since the series started in 2004. The Miners (8-22) and Aggies (22-9) will play a single on March 18 at the NM State Softball Complex starting 6 p.m.
This will be the first of three meetings between the two programs in 2015. UTEP will host NM State in a two-game set on April 28.
"NM State has been playing well this year so we are going to have to be ready," second-year head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk said. "I know our kids look forward to the game every year. It should be a great game to watch."
UTEP is coming off a weekend where No. 25 UAB completed the series sweep in Birmingham. The Miners fell 7-2 in game one, but competed better during the next two, losing 3-2 in game two and 2-0 in the series finale.
NM State recently defeated No. 17 San Jose State, 14-0, on the final day of the San Diego State Classic on March 15. The Aggies have won their last four games after dropping a pair of contests, the first to Middle Tennessee, 6-5, on March 10, following a loss to Long Beach State, 9-0 (5 inn.), on March 13.
Last Weekend
UTEP's five-game winning streak came to a halt on March 14, as No. 25 UAB defeated the Miners 7-2 during the first game. The Blazers won the next two contests. The Miners struggled to hit the ball, recording a .178 batting average (13-for-73). Kiki Pepi and Danielle Pearson each hit .333 during the weekend series. Pearson and Courtney Clayton recorded an RBI each, while Ashley Eldridge hit a two-run home run during the first game.
In the circle, Kaitlin Fifield went 0-2, but posted a 2.33 ERA in 12.0 innings of work. Fifield started two games, completing both, striking out eight and only walking two.
Fifield's Conference USA Numbers
Kaitlin Fifield is 2-2 in C-USA games, with a 1.24 ERA, ranking third in league-only games. Fifield also recorded a save, while her appearances (five) and innings pitched (22.2) is ranked tied second. Fifield recorded two wins and a save, while posting a zero in the earned runs category against Middle Tennessee on March 7 and 8.
Fifield's Overall Numbers
Kaitlin Fifield got off to a rocky start in 2015. Fifield is currently 4-8, with a 3.68 ERA in 78.0 innings of work, while recording 54 Ks and 38 walks. She started the season opener against Virginia, walking a season-high seven batters, while registering a season-high 11 earned runs in 2.1 innings on Feb. 6. Since then, though Fifield still posts a losing record (4-7), the sophomore has a 2.78 ERA in 75.2 innings, with 54 Ks and 31 walks. Courtney Auger was the last Miner to post more strikeouts than walks during a season. Auger tallied 126 Ks to 101 walks during the 2011 campaign.
Kiki Pepi Impact
Kiki Pepi, who transferred to UTEP from Oregon State, has hit the ball well thus far in 2015. The sophomore is hitting a solid .306 (26-for-85) with four home runs and 11 RBI. Pepi's bat caught fire during the last eight games, as she's hitting .409 (9-for-22) with three long balls, five RBI and seven runs scored. Pepi hit two crucial home runs during a two-game sweep of Texas Tech on March 11. The first jack was a solo shot that put the Miners up 4-3 during the fourth inning of the first game. She followed with a two-run shot in the sixth frame during the second contest to put her squad up 9-4. Pepi has also reached base during the last eight games.
Money Ball
Ashley Eldridge is batting .333 (29-for-87), ranking third on the team in 2015. The Las Vegas, Nev. has matched her home run total (four) from last season and currently leads the team in RBI (22). Eldridge has hit all four of her jacks during the last 10 games. During the 10-game span, Eldridge is hitting .414 (12-for-29) with 15 RBI, a double, two triples and eight runs scored. Eldridge recorded a three-run triple during the second game against Texas Tech that broke a 4-4 tie in the sixth inning. Eldridge's 10 RBI is the most in C-USA only games in 2015, while her three long balls are tied for most. Eldridge leads UTEP with nine multi-RBI games.
The Flash
Tahla Wade entered the 2015 season with 12-career stolen bases. The senior already has 12 during the current campaign. The speedster is 12-for-13 in that category. Wade stole five bags during the Middle Tennessee series, including tying a program record with three during a March 7 win over the Blue Raiders. Wade has also stolen six bags during the Miners' five-game winning streak. Chelsea Troupe currently holds the school record for stolen in a single season with 15 in 2009. Wade also holds the program record with eight career triples. She entered the season with six triples, which was tied with Sarah Ramirez (2005-06). Wade officially broke the record when she led off with a triple against Middle Tennessee on March 7 (game one).
Fresh Faces
With only two seniors on the 2015 roster, second-year head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk has inserted multiple freshmen into the lineup card. Courtney Clayton has started 30 of 30 games - tying for most on the team. Taylor Sargent has started 27 of 29 games, while Kaitlin Ryder (16/24), Hope Moreno (19/21) and Linda Garcia (15/16) have graced the starting lineup. Clayton leads the freshmen in average (.250) and RBI (13). Clayton (two), Sargent (two), Moreno (one) and Ryder (one) have combined for six long balls. The freshmen have also chipped in with 36 RBI and 32 runs scored.
Junior Leader
Kawehiokalani Netane has been consistent in 2015. The junior infielder is leading the team with a .389 batting average (35-for-90) and doubles (seven). She's tied for the team-lead in home runs (four) and triples (two), while ranking second in RBI (20) and stolen bags (five). Netane reached base in 15 consecutive games from Feb. 22 - March 14. During that span, Netane hit .476 (20-for-42) with nine walks, five doubles and a triple, while hitting four home runs and recording 15 RBI. She didn't get on base during the second contest versus UAB on March 14, but did single in the seventh inning during the third game of the series.
Scouting NM State
The Aggies are 22-9 in 2015, including winning 10 straight from Feb. 26 - March 8. The Aggies are 10-6 in Las Cruces, while posting a 5-1 mark during their last six home appearances. They only loss during that span came at the hands of Middle Tennessee, a 6-5, loss on March 10. NM State is hitting .350 with 49 home runs and has scored 237 runs. Aggies have nine players who have posted double-digits in RBI thus far.
Emma Adams leads the team with a .426 batting average (43-for-101), while contributing with four home runs and 28 RBI. Fiana Finau (.370) is pacing the team in home runs (nine) and RBI (31). Staci Rodriguez is hitting .341 with eight jacks and 28 RBI. Malena Padilla (.376) has hit six long balls with 29 RBI. Kelsey Dodd (21), Corrin Green (20), Brennalyn Nakamura (15), Tatum Reedy (15), and Dallas McBride (13) round out the RBI leaders.
In the circle, the staff has posted a 4.30 ERA in 203.1 innings with 148 Ks and 149 walks. Karysta Donisthorpe (12-2) has been the ace in the circle, leading the team in wins, ERA (2.34), innings pitched (83.2) and strikeouts (77). Makayla McAdams (5-2) has a 4.77 ERA in 51.1 innings, while Dallas McBride (5-5) has a 6.03 ERA in 67.1 innings.
All-time Series
NM State leads the all-time series 22-10, while winning eight of the last nine contests. UTEP snapped a seven-game losing streak when it won 5-1 on March 4, 2014 in the Sun City. The Aggies came back though and cruised during a 14-3 win on March 25, 2014 in Las Cruces. NM State took two of three contests last season, winning the first meeting, 8-6, on Feb. 9 at the Hotel Encanto Tournament.
Last Meeting
NM State avenged its 5-1 loss, defeating UTEP, 14-3, in five frames. The Aggies tacked on two runs in the opening frame, while scoring five in the second and six in the third. With the Aggies up 2-0, Kawehiokalani Netane tied the game with a two-run home run in the second inning. UTEP scored another run during the third when Erika Arcuri crossed home plate on a bases loaded walk.
