EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball is set for a high-stakes rivalry series as they welcome NM State to Helen of Troy Field for the Battle of I-10. The three-game showdown begins Friday, April 4, at 6 p.m. MT, continues Saturday at 6 p.m. MT, and concludes Sunday at 12 p.m. MT. Fans are encouraged to wear blue for the weekend series. 

Ticket Information 

Sing-game tickets for UTEP Softball are available for $8. Fans can secure their seats by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or at the gate on game day.

Schedule (MT) 

The Leadoff Report 

Miners at the Plate

The Miners (12-19, 2-10 CUSA) have shown flashes of dominance throughout the season, especially on defense, where they lead Conference USA in double plays with 20, ranking 11th nationally. Their 0.65 double plays per game are fourth-best in the NCAA. 

Offensively, UTEP has been one of the most productive teams in CUSA, ranking third in the league in batting average (.308), slugging percentage (.507), doubles per game (1.61), and triples (9). The Miners have found success manufacturing runs through extra-base hits, ranking among the top 50 teams in the country in multiple offensive categories. 

Ajia Richard has been the team's offensive catalyst, ranking second in CUSA in batting average (.471) and on-base percentage (.574). She has also crushed nine home runs, good for sixth in the league, while ranking third in slugging percentage (.862) and fifth in total bases (75). Her plate discipline has been just as impressive, drawing walks at the fifth-best rate in the conference. 

Madi Mendoza has been a key piece defensively, sitting fourth in CUSA in assists per game (2.03). She has also been productive at the plate, ranking fourth in the league with three sacrifice flies. Ashlynn Griffith has provided speed on the base paths, ranking second in CUSA in triples per game and sitting among the top 10 in stolen bases. 

In the Circle

UTEP's pitching staff has seen contributions from multiple arms this season. Serenity Jacoway leads the team with a 4.20 ERA in 15 appearances, including five starts, with two complete games and one save over 46.2 innings. Audrey Gallegos has been a reliable presence in the circle, posting a 4.32 ERA and a 3-4 record in 15 appearances (10 starts), throwing four complete games and striking out 23 in 56.2 innings.

Taja Felder has started 11 games—ranking 10th in CUSA in that category—while logging a 5.55 ERA across 16 appearances, including one complete game in 40.1 innings. Anisa Reynolds (5.84 ERA) has been a versatile option with 16 appearances (five starts), throwing two complete games and earning a save while striking out 22 in 50.1 innings.

Conference USA Weekly Honors 

Ajia Richard was named Conference USA Softball Player of the Week on February 17 after putting on a historic performance at the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament. She hit an astounding .857 (12-14) over five games, helping UTEP go 5-0. Richard crushed six home runs and drove in 10 RBIs, posting a ridiculous 2.214 slugging percentage. Her most jaw-dropping performance came against Manhattan, where she tied a CUSA record with three home runs in a 9-6 win. She reached base at an .882 clip during the tournament, drawing three walks and striking out exactly zero times. 

Marissa Burchard earned Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors on March 24 after batting .545 in a historic series win over WKU—the first for the Miners in program history. She went 6-for-11 with a .727 slugging percentage and .583 OBP, including a clutch game-tying RBI triple in UTEP's walk-off win in the series opener. Through nine conference games, Burchard is hitting .406 with a team-high 13 hits. 

National Recognition 

Richard's stellar play has gained national attention, earning her a spot in D1Softball's top-10 third baseman rankings after Weeks 4, 6, and 8. Softball America ranked her seventh in early March and 15th heading into April. 

Scouting NM State 

• The Aggies (21-14, 8-4 CUSA) bring a high-powered offense, hitting .322 as a team with 47 home runs and 309 total hits.  
• Their pitching staff carries a 4.15 ERA, allowing 269 hits while striking out 159 batters.  
• Desirae Spearman has been their standout player, leading the team with a staggering .506 batting average, 17 home runs, and 37 walks. She has also been their ace in the circle, posting a 2.71 ERA with a 9-4 record and seven complete games. 
• NM State leads the all-time series 39-10, but UTEP grabbed a 12-10 win in Las Cruces last season. 

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.