EL PASO – Despite a pair of home runs from Ajia Richard and Caitlyn Brockway, UTEP fell in both games on day three of the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament on Saturday night at Helen of Troy Field.
Three Miners recorded hits in both games: Lexi Morales combined for four hits while Savannah Favre and Ajia Richard posted three hits each. UTEP totaled 17 hits in losses to Santa Clara (3-5), 12-3, and Texas Tech (8-2), 8-6.
GAME 1 | Santa Clara 12, UTEP 3
The Broncos scored their leadoff hitter in the first, but the Miners stayed disciplined in the bottom half, earning four walks with an RBI double, moving them out front at 2-1. At 2-all in the second frame, SCU took advantage of UTEP's pitching change and smacked a grand slam over the right-center fence to give the Broncos a 6-2 lead.
After a scoreless third inning, the Broncos packed the bases twice to stretch the lead on an RBI-walk and fielder's choice. UTEP tacked on its last run as Ajia Richard sent a dinger over right center.
UTEP recorded three more hits, but left runners stranded in the last three innings, and Santa Clara posted four more runs over the last two to win the game, 12-3.
Miner Quick Hits
GAME 2 | Texas Tech 8, UTEP 6
The Miners had a rollercoaster of a game against Texas Tech that consisted of three lead changes while outhitting the Red Raiders 12-7.
UTEP got the jump on Texas Tech in the first frame with a sacrifice fly by Anna Sample to score Lexi Morales, who doubled down the left field line to kick things off for the Miners. The lineup circled back to Morales in the third, and after her lead-off single, Savannah Favre recorded an RBI double to force a pitching change. Favre was able to move into scoring position on a wild pitch, and Peyton Angulo's double to right field boosted the Miners to 3-0, which led to another pitching change. With the bases loaded, the Red Raiders ended the inning with a wild 8-6-3 triple play.
Texas Tech found its groove and scored four runs in the fourth inning, including two home runs, to take a 4-3 lead. Ashlynn Allen connected for a standup double, and Morales' single through the middle tied the game at 4-4. Caitlyn Brockway shredded her second home run in as many days to turn the lead over back to the Miners, 5-4.
In the top of the sixth, the Red Raiders earned an eight-pitch walk and, with two outs, blasted a goner over the scoreboard in center field to steal the lead, 6-5. However, Morales reached base on an error by the Texas Tech pitcher, and a SAC bunt from Favre advanced her to second. Can you say déjà vu? Angulo came in and plated the game-tying run in the bottom half with another double.
It all came down to the final frame, where Texas Tech got its first two batters on base and the tre came in to clean up the bases with a double to right center. With a two-run lead, Texas Tech's relief pitcher struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh to seal the deal.
Miner Quick Hits
ON DECK
The Miners will wrap up the weekend on Sunday, Feb. 19, with a doubleheader against New Mexico at 12 and 3 p.m. MT
For complete coverage of UTEP Softball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @utepsoftball (Instagram/Twitter) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.
