EL PASO - The UTEP softball team hits the road for a three-game series against Louisiana Tech this weekend at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field in Ruston, La. The teams will play at 5 p.m. on Friday, at 1 p.m. on Saturday and at 11 a.m. on Sunday. All games can be seen live on ESPN+.  

  Schedule   
April 19 at 5pm | Live Stats | ESPN+     
April 20 at 1pm | Live Stats | ESPN+     
April 21 at 11am | Live Stats | ESPN+     
^All Times Mountain    

  Leading Off   

• UTEP leads Conference USA in doubles per game (1.77) and double plays per game (0.51). The Miners' doubles per game ranks 13th in the nation.  
• UTEP has batted .291 through 35 games paced by five players who are batting at or above the mark, two who have 100-plus plate appearances (Ajia Richard and Lexi Morales).   
• Richard leads the way with a slash line of .411/.461/.795 with 46 hits that include 14 doubles, one triple, and nine home runs. Richard leads the conference in doubles per game, RBIs per game, batting average, and sacrifice flies. Her doubles per game (0.40) and doubles (14) rank 15th and 24th in the nation, respectively.      
• Six Miners have double-digit RBIs this season as Richard leads the way with 36.      
• Twelve players, including Richard who accounts for nine, contributed to UTEP's total of 31 home runs. Richard, Kenna Collett, and Anna Sample have each hit one out of the park for a grand slam this season.      
• The UTEP pitching staff holds a 3.94 ERA. Faith Aragon (10-9) has a team-high 72 strikeouts in 102.0 innings pitched.   
• Zaylie Calderon leads CUSA and ranks second nationally with seven saves, including three in league play which paces CUSA pitchers. Her seven saves are tied for second in the league's single-season history and her 11 career saves rank seventh in conference history. Calderon has struck out 11 batters across 12 innings in her last eight appearances.

  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-100 in eight categories which rank in the top-three in CUSA.          
13. Doubles per Game (1.77)* 
19. Double Plays per Game (0.51)* 
38. Doubles (62) 
54. Slugging Percentage (0.471)  
64. On Base Percentage (0.379) 
64. Home Runs per Game (0.89) 
75. Scoring (5.03) 
82. Batting Average (0.291) 
*Conference USA Leader      
 
UTEP has five players nationally ranked in the top-100.          

*Conference USA Leader          

  The Opponent   
Louisiana Tech

• LA Tech brings a 26-14 (9-6 CUSA) record.   
• The Bulldogs are hitting .276 and have a total ERA of 2.71.       
• LA Tech's pitching staff leads CUSA and ranks in the top-40 nationally in ERA (37th, 2.58), and fewest hit batters (8th, 8).  
• Reigning CUSA Freshman of the Year Allie Floyd is tied for the league lead with 12 wins on the year and leads the team in ERA (2.31). She ranks in the top-20 nationally in fewest hit batters (14th, 2) and saves (16th, 5). Floyd is 12-4 overall and owns a 5-2 mark in league play. 
• Louisiana Tech leads the all-time series, 23-15.

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.