EL PASO, Texas – UTEP Softball continues its two-week homestand at Helen of Troy Field as it hosts Western Kentucky for a three-game Conference USA series from March 21-23.
Ticket Information
Single-game tickets for UTEP Softball are priced at $8, while doubleheader tickets can be purchased for $12. Fans can secure their seats through the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office by calling (915) 747-UTEP, emailing tickets@utep.edu, visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets, or in person at 201 Glory Road (Brumbelow Building, UTEP Campus) during business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Series Schedule (MT)
| DATE |
TIME |
MATCHUP |
STREAM |
| FRI, MAR. 21 |
6 PM |
UTEP vs. WKU |
ESPN+ |
| SAT, MAR 22 |
3 PM |
UTEP vs. WKU |
ESPN+ |
| SUN, MAR 23 |
11 AM |
UTEP vs. WKU |
ESPN+ |
| Live stats will be available for all games. |
The Leadoff Report
Miners at the Plate
The Miners (10-15, 0-6 CUSA)have been led by senior Ajia Richard, who has been a force at the plate, ranking #10 in D1 Softball's Third Base Player Power Rankings in both the Week 4 (March 6) and Week 6 (March 20) rankings. She leads UTEP with a .527 batting average, eight home runs, and 22 RBIs, while boasting a .946 slugging percentage.
Richard's dominance earned her Conference USA Player of the Week honors on Feb. 17 following an outstanding performance at the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament, where she hit .857 (12-for-14) with six home runs and 10 RBIs. She tied a CUSA record with three home runs in a single game against Manhattan.
The Miners' offense has been a bright spot, ranking third in CUSA and 46th nationally with a .320 batting average. UTEP also leads the conference in double plays turned (19), ranking fourth nationally.
Other key offensive contributors include Iliana Munoz (.354, 15 RBIs), Kenna Carranza (.327, 9 RBIs, .636 SLG%), and Amaya Lee (.324, 4 HR, .757 SLG%). UTEP has hit 46 doubles, ranking 34th nationally, and has shown discipline at the plate with 70 walks drawn.
The Miners have also been aggressive on the base paths, successfully stealing 27 bases in 31 attempts.
Inside the Circle
Serenity Jacoway (3.61 ERA, 33.0 IP, 16 Ks) and Taja Felder (4.16 ERA, 37.0 IP, 16 Ks) have handled the bulk of the pitching duties. Audrey Gallegos (4.30 ERA, 42.1 IP, 18 Ks) and Anisa Reynolds (5.21 ERA, 44.1 IP, 18 Ks) have also been key contributors.
National & Conference Rankings
UTEP has showcased its strength in several statistical categories:
- #1 in CUSA & #4 nationally in double plays turned (19, 0.76 per game)
- #2 in CUSA in slugging percentage (.526, ranked 36th nationally)
- #3 in CUSA in home runs per game (1.00, ranked 52nd nationally)
- #3 in CUSA in batting average (.320, ranked 46th nationally)
Individually, Ajia Richard ranks:
- #1 in CUSA & #6 nationally in batting average (.527)
- #1 in CUSA & #11 nationally in on-base percentage (.598)
- #3 in CUSA in home runs (8, ranked 55th nationally)
Scouting Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers enter the series with a 14-11 record (1-4 CUSA).
Offensively, they are hitting .273 as a team and have racked up 47 extra-base hits. Maci Masters (.307 AVG, 11 XBH, 16 RBIs, .587 SLG%) leads the lineup.
Maddy Wood (3.05 ERA, 4-2 record, 55.0 IP, 31 Ks) has been WKU's most reliable arm in the circle.
The all-time series favors WKU, with the Hilltoppers leading 11-4.
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.
