LAS CRUCES, N.M. - To kick off day one of the Conference USA Championship tournament, the No. 6 seeded UTEP softball team (26-20) orchestrated a remarkable comeback, rallying from a six-run deficit to clinch a stunning 7-6 triumph against No. 5 Jax State. The electrifying clash unfolded Wednesday evening at the NM State Softball Complex, as the Miners, spurred on by their resilience, tallied an impressive seven unanswered runs in the final two innings.
This triumphant performance followed an earlier matchup on the day where the Miners encountered a setback, falling short 2-0 against No. 3 LA Tech.
GAME 1 | UTEP 0, LA Tech 2
LA Tech outfielder Katelin Cooper went 2-3 with a pair of RBI singles, and pitcher Brook Melnychuk tossed a three-hit shutout.
Both of Cooper's hits came from the nine hole with two outs as she dropped a bloop single in the second inning to put LA Tech on the board, and she pulled another base knock into right field to double the lead in the fourth.
UTEP's Faith Aragon (12-9) was tagged with the loss despite allowing just one earned run on six hits in six frames. Lexi Morales, Autumn Scott, and Ashlynn Allen were all credited with hits.
GAME 2 | UTEP 7, Jax State 6
UTEP scored seven unanswered runs to complete a 7-6 comeback victory over Jax State.
After the Gamecocks blew the game open with six runs after five innings, UTEP's scoring frenzy began in the top of the sixth inning when Morales and Ajia Richard got on base and Allen then seized the moment, driving a powerful single to left field, bringing Morales home for the opening run. However, the defining moment came when Anna Sample unleashed a towering homer down the left field line, delivering a clutch three-run blast that sent Allen and Richard sprinting across the plate.
Undeterred, UTEP continued its offensive onslaught in the top of the seventh inning. Madi Mendoza drew a crucial walk to kickstart the inning. Morales and Halle Hogan then delivered back-to-back singles, with Hogan's hit driving in Mendoza to narrow the deficit to just one run. With the tension mounting, Marijn Crouwel stepped up to the plate and sent a sharp single to center field, allowing Hogan to score the tying run. The stage was set for Allen, who coolly delivered yet again, smashing a single to left field, driving in the decisive run that would secure the lead for the Miners.
UTEP closer Zaylie Calderon (3-4) earned the win after striking out three in two scoreless innings of relief.
Notables
- UTEP endured 12 scoreless innings between both games today before igniting their offense for the comeback win.
- The last time the Miners advanced in the conference tournament was in 2016, coincidentally through another rallying effort.
- On May 11, 2016, the Miners found themselves trailing 3-0 and 4-2 against FIU before mounting a spirited comeback, ultimately securing a 5-4 victory.
ON DECK
The Miners will face the loser between No. 1 Liberty and No. 4 NM State at 5 p.m. MT on Thursday, May 9.
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