March 13, 2016
Final Stats
UTEP 3, Marshall 8
HUNTINGTON, W.V. – After Marshall put up four runs in the first inning, relief pitcher Taylor Grohmann kept the Thundering Herd bats in check the next five innings. But UTEP allowed four runs in the sixth frame, falling 8-3 on Sunday at Dot Hicks Field.
The Miners (9-16, 0-3 Conference USA) will host New Mexico on March 15 in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m., while Marshall (12-8, 3-0 C-USA) opens league play undefeated.
In the first inning, speedster Morgan Zerkle reached first, as she led off with a high chopper to Kaitlin Fifield. Zerkle would go on to tally her 20th stolen base, while reaching third base on a Kaelynn Greene groundout. The Conference USA hit leader scored the first run of the game on Briana Daiss reaching on a fielder's choice, but Zerkle was hurt on the play after colliding with catcher Linda Garcia and taken out of the contest.
Following the run and a Taylor McCord one-out single, Raquel Escareno put the Thundering Herd up 4-0 on a three-run home run.
In the top third, after runners reaching on a single and walk the previous innings, the Miners' bats lit up, as they tallied four hits during a three-run frame that was highlighted by a Kaitlin Ryder home run.
In the third, Jade Rodriguez led off with a bunt single placed between short and third, and Courtney Clayton reached on an error by short. Ariel Blair used a sac-bunt to advance the runners, setting up Ryder's third long ball of the season on a 1-2 pitch over right center. UTEP would go on to load the bases, but left a trio of runners stranded.
Taylor Grohmann, who replaced starter Kaitlin Fifield, threw 4.2 solid innings, walking none. Fifield (2-9), who suffered the loss, came back into the circle, allowing four runs (two runs credited to Grohmann).
However, the UTEP defense didn't commit an error, while turning a school record three double plays. The feat has been achieved three other times, the last happening on Feb. 13, 2005 against North Texas. The Miners tallied nine hits, led by Taylor Sargent (2-for-4) and Rodriguez (2-for-3). Clayton tallied a double, her ninth of the season after recording 10 her freshman season.
