EL PASO - UTEP softball (16-6) will go up against New Mexico for a midweek matchup on March 19 at Lobo Softball Field in Albuquerque, N.M. 

 Schedule   
Mar. 19 at 3pm MT | Live Stats 

 Leading Off   

• UTEP leads Conference USA in doubles per game (2.14), doubles (47), slugging percentage (0.494), and scoring (5.50). The Miners rank second in the nation in doubles per game right behind East Carolina.  
• UTEP has batted .313 through 22 games paced by three players who are batting at or above the mark who all have 50-plus plate appearances (Bri Garcia, Ajia Richard, and Lexi Morales). Garcia leads the way with a slash line of .412/.483/.588 on 21 hits that include three doubles and two home runs. Richard leads the conference in doubles (11) and doubles per game (0.50).  
• Along with Richard and Morales, three other Miners have double-digit RBIs already on the season as Richard leads the way with 21.  
• Ten players, including Richard who accounts for four contributed to UTEP's total of 17 home runs. Richard and Kenna Collett have each hit one out of the park for a grand slam this season.  
• The UTEP pitching staff holds a 2.95 ERA. Faith Aragon ranks second in the conference in victories (eight) while Taja Felder is second in the conference with two shutouts.  
• Zaylie Calderon ranks second nationally while leading CUSA with five saves.  

 In The CUSA Spotlight  
Week 5 POW – Ajia Richard 
Richard hit 4-10 and posted a slash line of .400/.455/.900 in a series victory over MTSU. She contributed significantly with two runs, two doubles, a home run, and 5 RBI. Richard opened the weekend with a solo shot to get the scoring underway on Friday and followed it up with a two-run single in her first at-bat Saturday that gave the Miners (16-6, 2-1 CUSA) the lead for good. She capped the weekend with a pair of RBI doubles in the series finale.

Week 2 POW – Bri Garcia 
Garcia had an impressive week for the Miners (10-2), who achieved a commendable 6-1 record. She started all seven games at second base and went 8-17 at the plate, resulting in a slash line of .471/.550/.882. Garcia drove in 10 runs, crossed the plate seven times and delivered key hits, including a pair of doubles and home runs. Her defensive performance was equally outstanding with nine putouts and 13 assists for a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage. Garcia's exceptional week earned her a spot on the UTEP Invitational All-Tournament Team. 

 By The Numbers   
Nationally, UTEP ranks in the top-50 in five categories.      
2. Doubles per Game (2.14)* 
17. Doubles (47)* 
37. WL Percentage (0.727) 
38. Slugging Percentage (0.495)* 
42. Batting Average (0.313) 
*Conference USA Leader   

UTEP has seven players nationally ranked in the top-100.      

*Conference USA Leader      

 The Opponent   
New Mexico 

• UNM brings an 8-23 record and is riding a two-game losing streak. 
• The Lobos are hitting .245 and have a total ERA of 5.65.   
• Offensively, the team is led by Keyannah Chavez who is hitting .378 with 13 RBI on 31 hits and has recorded four doubles, two triples, and three home runs. 
• McKenna Guest leads the pitching staff with a 4.65 ERA. She has 15 starts in the circle and has thrown six complete games. 
• UNM leads the all-time series, 18-15.

Give a gift to UTEP Softball by donating to the Diamond Club.                  

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.