PDF Box Score: UTSA 9, UTEP 6
SAN ANTONIO - The UTEP softball team (8-13, 0-1 Conference USA) fell to UTSA (5-17, 1-0 C-USA), 9-6, in its conference opener at Roadrunner Field Friday evening.
The Roadrunners grabbed the opening run of the game in the first frame with an RBI single to center field and put another run up two at-bats later.
After two scoreless innings, UTEP tied the game at two-all in the fourth. Rylan Dooner reached on a fielder's choice and back-to-back singles from Anna Sample and Caitlyn Brockway juiced the bases. As Ashlynn Allen reached base on a fielder's choice, the Roadrunners just barely made the throw to home to prevent Dooner from scoring. Pate Cathey's single through the left side as the line drive shot tipped off the UTSA third baseman's glove to score Sample. Lexi Morales' walk shifted the Miners to tie the game 2-2. UTSA came back in the fourth to double the score, 4-2, off a 2-RBI double from Kat Ibarra.
Bats got hot in the fifth inning for both teams. Peyton Angulo earned a walk and Dooner strolled over to first due to a hit by pitch. Sample's singled to center field loaded the bases once again and Brockway blasted her fourth home run of the season for a grand slam to put the Miners up, 6-4. UTSA rallied hard in the bottom of the fifth, putting up five runs on four hits.
As UTEP entered its last offensive inning, Cathey was the only player to get a hit off Reagan Smith before the Roadrunners shut the door of the Miners to win the conference opener.
Miner Quick Hits
ON DECK
Game two of the three-game series is set for Saturday, March 11 at 12 p.m. MT. The contest will be streamed on CUSA.tv, with live stats also available.
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.
