EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP softball team (10-13, 1-2 Conference USA) fell to UTSA (7-14, 2-1 C-USA) 9-1 in five innings to close out the conference series opener Sunday afternoon at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.

UTSA jumped to a 9-0 lead over the first three innings. The Roadrunners posted two runs in the first on an RBI single by Marena Estell and a run-scoring groundout from Kat Ibarra, then recorded five runs on five hits in the second to extend the lead 7-0. A two-run home run by Kaitlyn Morado in the third lifted the Roadrunners up 9-0. 

Pinch hitting for Savannah Favre in the bottom of the third, Aaliyah Rebolledo reached on a fielder's choice for UTEP, advancing Lexi Morales after she had singled up the middle. Rebolledo advanced to third off Ajia Richard's single and was plated shortly after on a wild pitch, landing the Miners on the board at 9-1.  

UTSA held the Miners to no runs in the last two innings to end the game in a 9-1 run-rule final. 

ON DECK
UTEP will be back in action in Murray, Ky. for a midweek matchup against Murray State (12-8) on Thursday (March 17) at 2 p.m. MT. 

The Miners will depart for Bowling Green, Ky. the following day to take on Western Kentucky (18-4, 2-1 C-USA) in a three-game series that runs March 18-20. 

Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club. Visit givingto.utep.edu/mac today!  
 
For complete coverage of UTEP Softball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @utepsoftball (Instagram) and @UTEPSoftball (Twitter) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.