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UTEP Miners

UTEP Miners
SB-Amaya Lee
UTEP Athletics
4
WKU WKU 14-12, 1-5 cusa
5
Winner UTEP UTEP 11-15, 1-6 cusa
WKU WKU
14-12, 1-5 cusa
4
Final
5
UTEP UTEP
11-15, 1-6 cusa
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
WKU WKU 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 4 5 0
UTEP UTEP 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 5 8 1

W: Reynolds, Anisa (2-3) L: HOUGE, Erica (4-8)

Game Recap: Softball |

Late-Game Heroics Propel UTEP to Walk-Off Victory Over WKU

EL PASO, Texas – UTEP Softball (11-15, 1-6 CUSA) earned their first Conference USA win of the season in dramatic fashion Friday night, defeating WKU (14-12, 1-5 CUSA) 5-4 at Helen of Troy Field. Amaya Lee played hero for the Miners, delivering a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh to complete a thrilling comeback. 

Game Recap 

Both teams were locked in a scoreless battle through two innings before UTEP broke through in the third. After Marissa Burchard reached on a single and Ajia Richard drew a walk, Iliana Munoz came up clutch with a two-run double to right center, giving the Miners an early 2-0 lead. 

WKU responded in the fourth inning with a three-run surge. Randi Drinnon drew a leadoff walk before Kennedy Stinson launched a two-run home run to left field, tying the game 2-2. The Hilltoppers weren't done, as a sacrifice fly from Kendle White brought home Katie Murphy to give WKU a 3-2 advantage. 

The Hilltoppers added another run in the fifth when Stinson delivered an RBI single, extending the lead to 4-2. However, UTEP wasn't ready to back down. 

In the bottom of the sixth, the Miners rallied back. Kenna Carranza led off with a walk, and after a fielder's choice, Ashlynn Griffith advanced Madi Mendoza into scoring position. Pinch-hitter Paige Lassiter then delivered a crucial RBI single, bringing UTEP within one. Moments later, Burchard ripped a game-tying RBI triple to right field, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. 

With the game tied 4-4 heading into the seventh, UTEP's defense held strong, retiring WKU in order. The Miners then set up the dramatic finish in the bottom of the inning. Richard was intentionally walked, and Cece Marquez entered as a pinch-runner. Munoz was then hit by a pitch, moving the winning run into scoring position. That set the stage for Lee, who lined a single up the middle to bring Marquez home for the walk-off victory. 

Anisa Reynolds (2-3) secured the win for UTEP, pitching four solid innings in relief, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out three.  

On Deck 

The Miners and Hilltoppers will square off again in Game 2 of the three-game series on Saturday, March 22, at 3 p.m. MT at Helen of Troy Field. 

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/X) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.       

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