EL PASO – The UTEP softball team (7-2) is set to travel to Lubbock, Texas, for the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic, hosted by Texas Tech. Due to winter weather, the tournament schedule has been adjusted, and the Miners will now compete from February 22-24. UTEP will face a challenging lineup, including two games against nationally ranked No. 12 Texas Tech.
The Miners will begin tournament play on Saturday, February 22, with matchups against RV Indiana and Detroit-Mercy. Sunday's schedule features games against Illinois-Chicago and #12 Texas Tech, followed by a rematch against the Red Raiders on Monday.
Tournament Schedule (All Times MT)
The Leadoff Report
UTEP enters the tournament with a dominant offensive presence, leading Conference USA in 11 statistical categories while ranking in the top 40 nationally across multiple metrics. The Miners have also seen outstanding individual performances, with 10 players ranking in the nation's top 100.
The offense has been headlined by Ajia Richard, who recently earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors. Richard was named MVP of the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament, where she hit an astonishing .857 (12-for-14) with six home runs and 10 RBIs. Her record-tying three-home-run game against Manhattan was a highlight of the Miners' undefeated weekend.
Other key offensive contributors include Iliana Munoz (.519 AVG, 9 RBIs) and Amaya Lee (1.235 SLG%, 4 HRs, 10 RBIs). As a team, UTEP boasts a .422 batting average, slugging .783 with 16 home runs through nine games.
On the defensive side, the Miners have been steady, fielding at a .967 clip while turning eight double plays. In the circle, Taja Felder (3-1, 3.06 ERA) and Audrey Gallegos (2-1, 3.94 ERA) have led the pitching staff, which holds a collective 3.37 ERA.
The Opposition
- RV Indiana (8-1) – The Hoosiers are off to a strong start, hitting .386 as a team with a 1.64 ERA. Top performers include Kinsey Mitchell (.500 AVG) and Jenae Berry (5-0, 0.32 ERA). This will be the first-ever meeting between UTEP and Indiana.
- Detroit-Mercy (0-5) – The Titans have struggled early, batting .225 as a team with a 5.42 ERA. Allison Fluker (.308 AVG) and Erin Flynn (3.94 ERA, 10.2 IP) lead the squad. This is also the first meeting between UTEP and Detroit-Mercy.
- Illinois-Chicago (4-6) – UIC enters the weekend hitting .226 with a 5.64 team ERA. Standouts include Dee Dee Caskey (.455 AVG, 5 RBIs) and Alyssa McIntosh (2-3, 32.0 IP, 4 CG). UIC leads the all-time series 1-0, with the last meeting in 2012.
- #12 Texas Tech (8-3) – The Red Raiders are among the nation's top teams, hitting .275 with a dominant pitching staff (2.00 ERA, 96 Ks). Lauren Allred (.464 AVG) and NiJaree Canady (4-2, 0.62 ERA, 61 Ks) anchor the team. Texas Tech leads the all-time series 14-4, though UTEP won the last meeting in 2024 (3-2).
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