EL PASO - The rivalry reignites as UTEP Softball gears up to face off against the NM State Aggies in a highly anticipated three-game series. Set to take place from March 22-24 in Las Cruces, NM, this matchup marks their first encounter as Conference USA opponents, adding an extra layer of intensity to the longstanding Battle of I-10 rivalry. 

 Schedule    
Mar. 22 at 6pm | Live Stats | ESPN+  
Mar. 23 at 6pm | Live Stats | ESPN+  
Mar. 24 at 1pm | Live Stats | ESPN+  
^All Times Mountain 

General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. 

 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 .305 through 23 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). Richard leads the way with a slash line of .403/.439/.766 on 31 hits that include 11 doubles, one triple, and five home runs. Richard leads the conference in doubles (11) and doubles per game (0.50).   
• Five Miners have double-digit RBIs on the season as Richard leads the way with 22.   
• Ten players, including Richard who accounts for five, contributed to UTEP's total of 18 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 3.11 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 State 

• NMSU brings a 14-11 record and is riding a three-game winning streak.  
• The Aggies are hitting .276 and have a total ERA of 3.71.    
• Offensively, the team is led by Dezianna Patmon who is hitting .391 with 20 RBI on 25 hits and has recorded three doubles and four home runs.  
• Jaileen Mancha leads the pitching staff with a 2.48 ERA. She has eight starts in the circle and has thrown three complete games.  
• NMSU leads the all-time series, 40-13. 

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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.