HUNTSVILLE, Texas – UTEP Softball dropped the opening game of its weekend series against Sam Houston, 4-2, Friday night at the Bearkat Softball Complex.
The Miners (15-22, 5-11 CUSA) jumped out to an early lead, but timely hitting from the Bearkats (21-21, 9-7 CUSA) and a late solo home run proved to be the difference.
Game Recap
UTEP wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. Marissa Burchard worked a full count before launching a solo home run over the left field wall to give the Miners a 1-0 lead. Sam Houston responded in the bottom half, tying the game at 1-1 after Elia Hebel doubled to lead off the frame, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on Belia Perez's RBI single.
The Miners threatened again in the second. Amaya Lee singled to left and moved to second when Halle Hogan reached on a fielding error, but Sam Houston turned a timely double play to end the inning. Serenity Jacoway responded with a dominant bottom half, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts.
In the third, UTEP put runners on base again after Ashlynn Griffith's single and a Bearkat error that allowed Burchard to reach. Ajia Richards delivered a single to right-center, but Burchard was thrown out at home trying to score. Sam Houston capitalized on the momentum shift, scoring two runs off back-to-back RBI singles that brought in Kinsey Hobbs and Hebel to take a 3-1 lead.
The Miners cut into the deficit in the fourth when Iliana Munoz roped a double to left-center. Pinch runner Jordyn Lopez crossed the plate on a line-drive single by Kenna Carranza, bringing the Miners within one, 3-2. The Miner defense continued to work efficiently in the circle, retiring the side once again in the bottom of the inning.
Burchard drew a walk in the fifth but was left stranded, and Munoz picked up her second hit of the night in the sixth. She advanced to third after a sac bunt and flyout but was left on base. In the bottom of the sixth, Sam Houston added an insurance run with a solo home run from Perez pushing the lead to 4-2.
UTEP was retired in order in the top of the seventh, as Sam Houston secured the series-opening win.
Despite the setback, the Miners outhit the Bearkats, 7-6, and saw a strong performance at the plate from Munoz, who finished 2-for-3.
Up Next
Game two of the series between UTEP and Sam Houston is set for Saturday, April 12, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. MT.
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