March 29, 2015
Final Stats
UTEP 10, Southern Miss 4 
EL PASO, Texas - Ashley Eldridge set a career high in hits (four), Courtney Clayton established a career best in RBI (three), and the UTEP softball team scored six first-inning runs during a 10-4 triumph over Southern Miss on Sunday at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
"It was a great finish, but we got ourselves into a hole and didn't make plays when we should've," second-year head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk said. "It was not a typical defensive day for us, even in that last inning, but the great news is we scored six runs in that first inning and that's what changed the whole momentum of the game. It would've been difficult to come back if we didn't get those runs. But when you respond with six runs right away, it gives Kaitlin (Fifield) confidence in the circle and the team confidence. We did what we needed to do."
Though the Miners (10-24, 5-4 Conference USA) committed five errors, Fifield (6-9) pitched another complete game on her way to a second victory this weekend. Fifield had no earned runs on six hit allowed, while fanning five and only walking one.
UTEP recorded 13 hits on the day.
The Golden Eagles (16-18, 2-10 C-USA) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, as Katie Cleary (two RBI) and Mallory Hayden (RBI) knocked in runs. UTEP committed three errors that inning, leading to all three runs scored.
But UTEP answered in a big way. Tahla Wade, who had a leadoff walk, scored on a throwing error by the pitcher. Jade Rodriguez singled on a bunt. Jillian Johnson threw the ball over the first baseman, leading the way for Rodriguez to advance to second and paving the way for Wade.
Kawehiokalani Netane doubled to left field, plating Rodriguez and bringing the Miners within a run (3-2). Eldridge started her hit parade with a double, also to left, that scored Netane to tie the game. Kiki Pepi then gave her squad the lead when she singled in Eldridge.
UTEP took a 5-3 lead when Danielle Pearson singled down the left field line, plating Pepi. Courtney Clayton, who singled after Pepi's at bat, advanced to second on a Kaitlin Ryder groundout, while finding her way to third on Pearson's hit. Clayton scored the Miners' sixth run when they tried a double steal; Pearson was caught stealing but not before Clayton crossed the dish.
Eldridge recorded her second hit in the second inning, a single down the left line, scoring Netane, giving UTEP a commanding 7-3 lead.
Clayton, who had a walk-off home run on Saturday, broke the game open as she connected on her fourth long ball of the season - a three-run shot over the left field fence, helping the squad take a 10-3 lead and eventual victory.
Netane tied her career high in hits (three) and runs scored (three) on a 3-for-3 day. She tallied a single, double, triple and an RBI on the afternoon.
Eldridge finished the day 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Eldridge has 31 total RBI and 17 in league-only games in 2015. She recorded 35 RBI in 2014.
Pepi finished the day 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Clayton went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Fifield improved to 4-2 in conference only games, while her ERA is 1.34 in 36.2 innings of work. She's fanned 27 and has walked 14.
Series Notes
UTEP's series win over Southern Miss this weekend was the first since the 2012 season. The Miners took two of three contests on March 10 and 11 in El Paso.
The Miners scored 23 runs during the weekend series on 35 hits and five long balls. Fifield tallied a pair of wins on two complete games during the weekend. She pitched 14.0 innings, striking out nine and walking eight.
Eldridge and Clayton each hit a pair of jacks, while Eldridge tallied seven RBI and Clayton five. Eldridge hit .667 (8-for-12), Netane hit .600 (6-for-10), Pepi hit .444 (4-for-9) and Clayton hit .400 (4-for-10).
Linda Garcia broke out this weekend, as the freshman recorded her first collegiate RBI and double during Saturday's doubleheader. Garcia recorded two RBI during the second game.
Up Next
UTEP will travel to Ruston, La. Easter Weekend to take on C-USA West Division foe LA Tech on April 3 and 4. Friday's doubleheader will start at 4 p.m. MT, while Saturday's contest is set for 11 a.m.
