MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – UTEP Softball opened its final Conference USA road series of the season with a 5-0 loss to Middle Tennessee on Friday night at Blue Raider Softball Field.
Despite solid efforts on the basepaths and in the circle, a four-run fourth inning from the Blue Raiders broke the game open and handed the Miners the series-opening defeat.
UTEP (22-26, 10-15 CUSA) recorded three hits on the night, with Brantley Lavas, Marissa Burchard, and pinch hitter Paige Lassiter each collecting a single. Bri Garcia added to the Miners' offensive efforts by reaching base twice on walks.
Game Recap
The Miners threatened early in the third inning when Garcia led off with a walk and advanced to third on a single up the middle by Lavas. But Middle Tennessee (24-27, 11-14 CUSA) escaped the jam with a play at the plate and ended the inning without damage.
In the fourth, UTEP again moved a runner into scoring position. Burchard singled to right, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error. Madi Mendoza then reached on a fielder's choice, but Burchard was tagged out at the plate for the second time in the game where a Miner was cut down trying to score.
The Blue Raiders capitalized in the bottom of the inning with four runs on four hits. After a leadoff single and a hit-by-pitch put two on, Addy Edgmon doubled to right center to bring both runners home. Edgmon then scored on a double by Macie Harter, who came around to make it 4-0 on a single from Jana Want. UTEP made a pitching change, bringing in freshman Taja Felder to end the inning.
Middle Tennessee tacked on one more run in the sixth, when Harter drove in her second RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly to plate Ava Tepe, who had doubled to start the frame.
Lassiter provided a spark in the seventh for UTEP with a pinch-hit single, but the Miners couldn't string together a rally in their final at-bat.
On Deck
Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at 3 p.m. MT. However, with rain in the forecast for the Murfreesboro area, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to @UTEPSoftball on social media for any potential schedule updates.
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.
