Box

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UTEP softball team (10-24, 4-8 Conference USA) fell to UAB (14-20, 4-8 C-USA), 4-1, in the final game of the series at Mary Bowers Field on Sunday afternoon.
 
Kira McKechnie threw an outstanding 3.0 innings in relief for UTEP. She sat down nine of the 10 batters faced with three strikeouts.
 
Ilena Santos and Ariana Valles both recorded doubles in the game. Valles drove in the lone RBI for the Miners. Kacey Duffield recorded a hit and drew a walk on the day.
 
The Miners found themselves behind 2-0 after the first inning. The Blazers smacked two RBI singles and benefited from a UTEP error that extended the frame.
 
UAB plated two more runs in the bottom of the third to bolster their lead to four runs.
 
UTEP relied upon the bat of Pamala Baber to get things going in the sixth inning. The junior entered the game as a pinch hitter and reached second base on an error. Valles came to the plate and doubled into left, trading places from home to second with Baber to make the score 4-1.
 
Santos doubled with two out into left center, attempting to begin a rally for the Miners in the seventh. UTEP could not push her any further however, and fell to UAB in the series finale.
 
On Deck
The Miners will travel to Arizona to battle the Wildcats in a double header on Wednesday (April 3).