March 9, 2016
Game Notes March 12-13, 15
EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP softball team will play five games in four days, as Conference USA action will open at Marshall on March 12-13 and will return to the Sun City to host New Mexico on March 15.
The Miners (9-13) will return to Huntington, W.V. for the first time since 2013 to take on the Thundering Herd (9-8) on March 12 in a two-game set starting at 11 a.m. MT. The series will conclude on Sunday at 10 a.m. The Lobos (11-8) return to El Paso for the first time since the 2012 season to play a two-game series starting 1 p.m. at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
Last Weekend
UTEP forged a 1-4 mark at the annual Wildcat Invitational in Tucson, Ariz. March 4-6. The Miners opened with a 12-1 (six innings) loss to Saint Francis on Friday afternoon, while dropping a contest 8-0 (six innings) to BYU that evening. The team split on Saturday night, losing 9-1 to then No. 15 Arizona, but bounced back to pound Mount St. Mary's 16-1. On Sunday, the Orange and Blue held its own, slipping 3-0 to currently ranked No. 9 James Madison.
UTEP's Starts in C-USA Action
Last year, the Miners got off to a 3-0 Conference USA start after sweeping Middle Tennessee March 7-8. After a sweep at No. 25 UAB, the Miners took two of three from Southern Miss for a 5-4 league start. The season prior, UTEP lost two of three to Southern Miss, but swept LA Tech in Ruston, for a 4-2 start in league play. The 2010 team, in its first 12 games, started 8-4.
All-Time Series vs. Marshall
Marshall is 18-9-1 all-time against UTEP, while winning nine of the last 12 contests, dating back to April 30, 2011. The two teams tied 8-8 on May 1, 2011. The Miners are 2-9-1 in Huntington and last claimed victory at Dot Hicks Field on May 4, 2013, as a 3-0 deficit was erased in the seventh inning to win 6-4. With one out, the Miners loaded the bases after an Alanna Leasau, Kayla Oranger and McKenzey Finley each singled to load the bases. Tahla Wade put the first run on the board with a single through the left side that scored pinch runner Morgan Rasmason. Back-to-back singles by Erika Arcuri and Danielle Pearson tied the contest. With two outs, Ashley Collazo walked with bases loaded to get the go-ahead lead, and Colleen Hohman connected on a two-run single, giving her squad a 6-3 advantage. One of the top pitchers in the nation Andi Williamson took the loss, as she entered the contest with a 27-15 record, 311 Ks and an ERA of 2.23 in 254 innings.
Last Series (Marshall 2, UTEP 1)
On April 25, 2015 in El Paso, the Miners, after being edged 3-1 in game one responded with a 10-5 victory in the second game. With the scored tied 5-5 in the sixth, the Miners used six hits to put up five runs, led by a pair of Kiki Pepi RBI. Kaitlin Ryder, Hope Moreno and Breanna Medina each tallied an RBI in the inning. Danielle Pearson earned the victory, throwing in relief for Taylor Grohmann. Pearson pitched 3.2 innings, allowed only two hits, and fanned three. Moreno finished 3-for-3, while Courtney Clayton and Ryder each tallied a pair of knocks. In game three, a predetermined drop-dead time was enforced and the Miners suffered a 7-4 loss after the contest was called in six innings. The Miners took a 4-3 lead in the fourth on Kawehiokalani Netane and Pepi RBI singles. But the Thundering Herd responded with a four-run sixth.
Scouting Marshall
The Thundering Herd (9-8) are coming off a 3-2 weekend at the Campbell University Tournament March 3-6. Appalachian State edged Marshall 4-3 on day one, while wins were chalked up against Maryland Eastern Shore (11-0 [5]; 11-4) and Loyola-Chicago (2-1). Campbell squeaked by 4-3 on the final day. Junior OF Morgan Zerkle ranks no. 1 in batting with a .475 average and leads the league with 17 stolen bases. Senior OF Kealynn Greene, hitting .389, ranks second with 16 stolen bases. The Thundering Herd are racing past the league with their 53 stolen bags. Freshman INF Briana Daiss is tied with Kiki Pepi in RBI (22) in Conference USA, and is fifth with five home runs. Marshall has a team ERA of 3.86, led by Jordan Dixon's (6-7) 3.00 ERA in 79.1 innings. Dixon has tallied 87 Ks and only 30 walks. Ali Burdette (3-1) has a 3.23 ERA in 21.2 innings of work with nine Ks and seven walks
All-Time Series vs. New Mexico
New Mexico is 12-8 all-time versus UTEP, dating back to Feb. 29, 2004. The Miners are 3-6 against the Lobos since the 2012 campaign. UTEP last defeated New Mexico 7-6 in Albuquerque on March 11, 2014, while its last win at the Helen of Troy Field came on May 2, 2012 – an 11-8 victory. During that win in 2014, with the score tied 5-5, Ashley Eldridge gave the Miners the go-ahead lead on a groundout to first, as Samantha Alvillar raced home. Alanna Leasau added a run with a single to left that plated Erika Arcuri.
Last Series (UTEP 0, New Mexico 2)
On March 3, 2015 in Albuquerque, New Mexico swept UTEP in a two-game series. The Lobos jumped on the Miners early in game one, scoring four runs in the second on their way to a 7-5 win. In game two, Kawehiokalani Netane scored on a throwing error for an early 1-0 lead in the first. The Lobos went on the score seven runs in innings 2-6, while UTEP tacked on a trio of runs in the top seventh on a Kiki Pepi sac-fly and a Courtney Clayton two-run double.
Scouting New Mexico
The Lobos are 11-8 after losing 11-3 in five innings at NM State. New Mexico had won its previous four contests, including six of its last eight games. New Mexico swept Northern Colorado March 5-6, winning 7-3, 8-3 and 10-1 in Albuquerque. The Lobos are hitting .306 led by Mariah Rimmer's .406 average. Jasmine Casados, hitting .356, leads the team with 19 RBI, while Michala Erickson (.351 avg.) paces the squad with three home runs. The team ERA is 4.60, as Lauren Soles (2-2) leads the staff with a 2.93 ERA in 28.2 innings. Colette Robert (6-4, 4.41 ERA) leads the staff wins, Ks (31), and innings pitched (54.0). Robert has only walked nine batters.
16 Runs
UTEP scored a flurry of runs against Mount St. Mary's at the Wildcat Invitational on March 5. The Miners defeated the Mountaineers 16-1 in five innings, as 11 runs were scored in the fourth inning. The runs are the most during the Tobin Echo-Hawk era, while they are the most since scoring a school-record 25 runs on March 3, 2012. The run production is ranked tied ninth with UTEP's 16-run performance against Southern Miss on March 26, 2006. The Miners scored 24 against Grambling on Feb. 11, 2007, 22 at NM State on Feb. 15, 2010, 21 runs twice (vs. Grambling [2/10/07]; at Buffalo [2/23/07]) and 17 during a trio of contests (vs. Houston [4/6/07]; vs. Grambling [2/10/07]; vs. New Mexico [2/18/07]).
Kawehi's Grand Night
Kawehiokalani Netane, who has been struggling at the plate, went off on Mount St. Mary's at the Wildcat Invitational. The senior connected on a career-best two home runs, the first a two-run shot, while the second was her second grand slam of 2016 and third of her career. Netane's six RBI is a career high, while she is tied with four other Miners (Camilla Carrera [2012], Jennifer Davis [2009], Ashley Perez [2008] & Ashley Ellis [2007]) for third-most all-time in a single game. Netane witnessed her teammate Alanna Leasau connect on two grand slams to tally a program-record eight RBI on March 15, 2013 against Mississippi Valley State. Simone Holland [2007] and Stacie Townsend [2010] each recorded seven for second most.
Netane Moving Up
Kawehiokalani Netane has scored 87 runs during her career, moving to no. 7 all-time in program history. Netane is two runs away from moving past Simone Holland (88 runs) for sixth best. Ashley Ellis is ranked fifth with 107 runs. Netane's two doubles in 2016 puts her at 26 in her career, ranking no. 10 on the all-time list. Sarah Ramirez (27) is ranked ninth, while Ashley Eldridge (29) is ranked eighth all-time. Netane's 74 RBI is now ranked no. 10 on the all-time list and is one away from tying Jennifer Davis and Kayeigh Walts. Eldridge is ranked seventh all-time with 76 RBI. Netane's 18 home runs are tied with Kelly Lombard for no. 6 on the all-time list. Amber Bennett's 22 home runs are ranked fifth, while Simone Holland's 25 dingers are ranked no. 4.
Sensational Sophomore
Courtney Clayton is leading the Miners with a .380 batting average (27-for-71), while ranking 11th in Conference USA in that category. The leadoff hitter is ranked tied second in runs scored (20) with North Texas' Kelli Schkade and Florida Atlantic's Emily Lochten. Clayton is ranked third with six doubles in C-USA. Clayton ranks second on the team with 20 RBI and ninth in the league. Clayton is also tied fourth with FIU's Stephanie Texeira and Lochten with 47 total bases. Clayton is tied with Kiki Pepi for the team lead with four home runs. Clayton established career highs in hits (four) against Incarnate Word on Feb. 11, while tying her career best in RBI (four) against Mount St. Mary's on March 2.
RBI Producer
Kiki Pepi leads the Miners with 22 RBI, while ranking tied fifth in Conference USA with Marshall's Briana Daiss and Middle Tennessee's Kirstyn Cuccia. LA Tech's Ann Cross leads the league with 24 RBI. Pepi is three RBI from tying her 2015 total. The junior has been productive, hitting .319 with 11 runs scored, five doubles, a triple and matching her 2015 home run total with four dingers. Pepi had a monster inning against Incarnate Word on Feb. 11, connecting on two home runs and tallying five RBI – both career highs for a single game. Pepi has also been solid at the third base position, leading the defense with 52 assists.
Successful Second Campaign
Kaitlin Ryder ranks fourth in on-base percentage (.493) in Conference USA. Ryder, after hitting .241 her freshman season, ranks second on the team with a .377 batting average. The sophomore has also showed much patience at the plate, as she is ranked tied fifth in C-USA with 13 walks in 61 at bats. Last season, Ryder walked 11 times in 79 at bats. Ryder has produced a pair of home runs with 10 RBI, while ranking second on the team with 14 runs. Ryder tied her career high with a trio of RBI during a 12-5 win against Grand Canyon on Feb. 21. She also tied her career high in hits (three) and runs scored (three) against Mount St. Mary's on March 5 in Tucson, Ariz.
Career Year for Grohmann
After picking up a pair of wins last week, junior hurler Taylor Grohmann is the team leader in wins (5-1 record). Her five victories are a career high after entering 2016 with two-career wins. Grohmann has already thrown 29.0 innings, after 41.2 in 2014 and 37.0 last season. She's reached nine Ks this year, after nine in 2015 and 14 the year before. Grohmann has made 10 appearances and has made six starts, including a complete game on March 5.
Jade Likes Tucson
Last season at the Wildcat Invitational, Jade Rodriguez set her standard in hits and runs scored, as she went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs during a 9-8 win over Colorado State on Feb. 28. On that same field in Hillenbrand Stadium, Rodriguez tied her career highs in hits and runs during a 3-for-4 night during a 16-1 victory over Mount St. Mary's on March 5.
Fresh Production
A trio of freshmen has made their presence felt during their young careers. Lindsey Sokoloski is hitting .321 (9-for-28) with seven runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base. Sokoloski tallied a pair of hits and a pair of runs against Grand Canyon, both career highs. Ariel Blair is hitting .300 (9-for-30) with six runs scored, four walks and a two stolen bags. Blair set a career best with three hits against Grand Canyon -- all three of her hits were bunts, as she used her blazing speed to reach first base. Cortney Smith has been the team's starting shortstop in 16 contests and has registered 23 assists and 15 putouts. Smith is hitting .308 (12-for-39) with nine runs, five RBI, three walks and a hit by pitch. Smith hit her first career home run against Texas A&M-C.C. on Feb. 26, a three-run shot. She tallied a pair of doubles against Mount St. Mary's on March 2.
C-USA Leader in Home Runs
UTEP currently leads Conference USA with its 21 home runs this season. In 2013, UTEP recorded 18 home runs. Since Tobin Echo-Hawk arrived, the Miners combined for 69 long balls in 2014 (30) and 2015 (39). The Miners are on pace for around 50 dingers in 2016, which would tie the 2007 squad for fourth most all-time in a single season.
UTEP's Offensive Surge
UTEP is currently hitting .301 in 2016. It is one of seven Conference USA squads hitting batter than .300, as FIU leads the way with a .329 batting average. The last two seasons since third-year head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk arrived to the Sun City, the team has hit above .290. UTEP hit .293 in 2015, ranking second best in program history, while posting a .290 average in 2014 – fourth best in program annals. The 2007 squad hit .303, ranking no. 1 all-time in school history.
Reducing Miscues
The Miners have committed 21 errors in 22 games so far in 2016. Last year at this time, the defense committed 29 in its first 22 games. If the Miners keep this pace, they will have committed around 50 errors, which would be the least in program history. The 2007 defense committed 59 in 2007. The fielding has improved, somewhat, during the last few seasons. In 2012, UTEP committed 86 errors, while in 2013, 81 miscues were scored. Since Tobin Echo-Hawk and Cristina Cobb-Adams – both infielders in college – arrived to the Sun City, the Miners committed 69 in 2014 and 73 last season. North Texas leads with 11, while Charlotte has committed 12.
Fifield Named Co-Pitcher of the Week
Junior pitcher Kaitlin Fifield was named Conference USA Co-Pitcher of the Week the league office announced on Feb. 29 after tossing a no-hitter against Texas A&M-C.C. on Feb. 27. Fifield pitched a compete game, walking one to come up short of the perfect game and tying a career high with nine Ks. It's the first such honor for Fifield, who shared the distinction with FIU pitcher Megan Kugelmann. The honor also marks the first pitcher of the week for a UTEP hurler since Stacie Townsend was named C-USA Pitcher of the Week on March 22, 2010.
More On Fifield's No-No
The no-no was the sixth in program history and the last one since Stacie Townsend no-hit Belmont on March 18, 2010 with 18 Ks in 7.0 frames and walking a pair. Kaitlin Fifield also recorded her second career shutout, while earning the no-hitter on 86 pitches. Fifield forced two lineouts, one to third and the other to second, while 10 groundouts were tallied. The closest the Islanders came to getting a hit came during the sixth inning, when leadoff hitter Cosette Hernandez threw down a bunt. But catcher Linda Garcia made a throw to second baseman Courtney Clayton, who was extended with one foot on the bag.
Other No-Hitters in UTEP History
Renee DiPuccio recorded the first no-hitter in program history on Feb. 15, 2004, during a 9-1 victory over Sul Ross. It was the first ever contest in school history. Dipuccio went 5.0 innings with one run (unearned) and eight Ks. Megan Barber registered the second no-no on Feb. 22, 2005 in the Miners' debut at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex. Barber went 6.0 innings with no walks and 12 Ks during an 8-0 victory against Howard Payne. On March 10, 2006, Veronica Flournoy pitched the third no-hit game. Flournoy won 5-0 over Centenary, going 5.0 frames with a walk and a trio of strikeouts. Nichole Tunget hurled the sixth no-hitter on Feb. 10, 2008 against Prairie View A&M – an 11-0 win. Tunget went 5.0 innings, walked one and fanned nine.
Pearson's Goose Egg
Danielle Pearson pitched a gem against UNLV, shutting down the Runnin' Rebels to only three hits. But the big story – the senior pitcher threw her first career shutout. The Orlando, Fla., native threw a complete game, only walked two while fanning five batters. The hits allowed wasn't a career low, but it tied her career low for allowing hits in a complete game start (7.0 innings). Pearson allowed three hits against Southern Miss on March 8, 2014 during a 5-1 victory. Pearson defeated Incarnate Word on Feb. 13 in Las Cruces, N.M., tying her career high with six strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
Pearson On The All-Time Pitching List
Danielle Pearson is ranked no. 3 on the all-time win's list in program history and is four wins away from tying Kelly Curran for no. 2 on the list. Pearson's 104-career appearances is ranked second all-time behind Stacie Townsend's 143. Pearson has started 45 games in the circle, ranking sixth behind Megan Barber's 46 starts. Pearson's 27 complete games are ranked second behind Townsend's 72 CGs. Pearson's 425.2 innings is second-most all-time behind Townsend's 722.1. Pearson has 20 Ks in 2016 and 180 in her career, moving past Veronica Flournoy (177 Ks) to no. 8 on the all-time list; Courtney Auger ranks seventh (181 Ks).
Pearson's Power Surge
Senior Danielle Pearson connected on her first collegiate home run last season at NM State on March 18. Pearson then hit two more home runs during a sweep against Mount St. Mary's on March 2. The Orlando, Fla., native connected a pair of two-run shots, one in each contest. Pearson is hitting .300 with a pair of runs scored, two home runs and five RBI in 2016.
Getting Hit On
Hope Moreno has been hit by a pitch four times to lead the team, while ranking tied fourth in Conference USA in that category. Moreno led the team last season with eight hit by pitches. The school record for being hit by a pitch is 11 times (done by two players), while the second most is nine times (done by two players) and the third being eight times (also done by two players).
A Rare Road Win
UTEP defeated UNLV, 6-0, on Feb. 19 at Eller Media Stadium. After a 0-19 road record in 2015, the Miners won their first road game since defeating East Carolina on May 4, 2014. The road hasn't been pleasant for UTEP, as it won 10 road games in 2013 and 2014 combined, while going 0-15 in 2012. The victory also marked the first win on the UNLV home field, since defeating Northwestern State, 12-4, on Feb. 14, 2008 at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.
Back-Two-Back Jacks in Vegas
Hope Moreno and Taylor Sargent connected on back-to-back home runs in the fourth innings during UTEP's big 12-5 victory over Grand Canyon on Feb. 21 at the DeMarini Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. It was the first back-to-back long balls since Colleen Hohman and Alanna Leasau did it against Boise State on Feb. 15, 2014 at the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas. For Moreno and Sargent, it was their first home runs of 2016. In 2015, the two each connected on a pair of four-baggers.
