EL PASO, Texas – UTEP Softball will host Arizona State for a midweek doubleheader on Tuesday, April 9 at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex. Game one is set to begin at 12 p.m. MT.
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)
| DATE |
TIME |
MATCHUP |
STREAM |
| Wed. April 9 |
12 p.m. |
UTEP v. Arizona State (DH) |
ESPN+ |
| Live Stats will be available for both games. |
The Leadoff Report
Miners at the Plate
The Miners (15-19, 5-10CUSA) come into the matchup with momentum, having just completed a statement three-game sweep over rival New Mexico State. UTEP was in control from the first pitch of each contest, never trailing at any point in the series. The team will now shift its focus to a familiar foe, as the Sun Devils earned an 11-4 victory over the Miners in Tempe earlier this season on March 1.
UTEP enters the doubleheader ranked first in Conference USA in both double plays (22) and double plays per game (0.65), good for eighth and fifth nationally, respectively.
The Miners are second in CUSA in doubles per game (1.68), triples (10), and triples per game (0.29), while sitting third in team batting average (.314), fielding percentage (.969), home runs per game (1.03), and slugging percentage (.517).
Additional top-100 national rankings include 52nd in total doubles (57), 69th in home runs (35), 72nd in on-base percentage (.390), and 84th in shutouts (5).
Ajia Richard has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the country this season. She ranks fourth nationally in batting average (.510), seventh in on-base percentage (.600), 26th in slugging percentage (.878), 53rd in hits (50), and 74th in total bases (86).
Other key individual contributors for UTEP include Madi Mendoza, who ranks fourth in CUSA in assists (76) and second in assists per game (2.24), and Ashlynn Griffith, who sits second in the league in triples per game (0.09).
In the Circle
The UTEP pitching staff carries a 4.78 ERA with 86 strikeouts and has held opponents to a .289 batting average across 34 games.
Serenity Jacoway has emerged as the team's top arm, posting a 3.81 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with a 3-4 record. She has made 17 appearances with seven starts and has pitched 60.2 innings, tallying 24 strikeouts. Jacoway earned two complete-game wins in the sweep over NMSU and owns four complete games and one save on the season. Audrey Gallegos has been another consistent option in the rotation, matching Jacoway's 3-4 record and carrying a 4.32 ERA through 56.2 innings pitched. She's made 10 starts in 15 appearances and has thrown four complete games with 23 strikeouts.
Taja Felder also earned a complete-game win over the Aggies and holds a 6-7 record with 12 starts in 17 appearances. She's logged 47.1 innings and 17 strikeouts with a 5.18 ERA. Anisa Reynolds has contributed both in relief and as a starter, going 2-4 with five starts in 16 appearances. She has a 5.84 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and 50.1 innings pitched on the year.
Conference USA Weekly Honors
Senior infielder Ajia Richard was named Conference USA Player of the Week on April 7 for the second time this season. She batted .818 (9-for-11) with three doubles, one RBI, and 11 total bases in the sweep over NMSU, while playing error-free defense at third base. She reached base at an .833 clip and recorded back-to-back 4-for-4 performances over the weekend.
Richard also earned CUSA Player of the Week honors on February 17 after hitting .857 with six home runs and 10 RBIs in five games at the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament. She tied a league record with three home runs in a single game against Manhattan and reached base at an .882 clip during the event.
Freshman outfielder Marissa Burchard picked up CUSA Freshman of the Week accolades on March 24 following a breakout series against WKU. She hit .545 (6-for-11) with a game-tying RBI triple and a pair of multi-hit efforts as the Miners secured their first-ever series win over the Hilltoppers. Burchard is batting .406 in league play with a team-best 13 hits in nine conference contests.
National Recognition
Richard has also earned national attention for her consistency at third base. D1Softball ranked her the No. 10 third baseman in the country after weeks four, six, and eight of the season. Softball America placed her at No. 7 heading into March and No. 15 entering April.
Scouting Arizona State
- Arizona State enters Wednesday's doubleheader with a 26-14 overall record and an 8-7 mark in Big 12 play.
- The Sun Devils are batting .312 as a team, good for 54th in the country, and are averaging 5.18 runs per game. They also produce 1.35 doubles and 1.03 home runs per contest.
- Tanya Windle leads ASU with 48 hits and 12 doubles while batting .361. Kelsey Hall is hitting .379 and leads the squad with 41 RBIs. Ashleigh Mejia has been the top power threat, launching 11 home runs on the season.
- The Sun Devils' pitching staff is led by Kenzie Brown, who ranks second in the country with 196 strikeouts and averages 12.0 strikeouts per seven innings. As a team, ASU's 7.82 Ks per seven innings leads the Big 12 and ranks ninth nationally. Meika Lauppe adds depth in the circle with a 2.78 ERA and 55 strikeouts. ASU's overall team ERA sits at 3.25 with a 1.30 WHIP.
- Arizona State holds a 10-3 advantage in the all-time series and has won eight straight.
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.
