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Box Score 2 UTEP ATHLETICS STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2026
Contact: Lilliana Valdespino
UTEP Softball Drops Two in Tournament Opener
EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP softball team (3-5) opened the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament with a pair of tough losses Friday evening at Helen of Troy Field, falling 8-6 to Power 4 opponent Minnesota before dropping a 5-3 decision to Idaho State.
Despite the 0-2 start, the Miners' offense showed plenty of life, outhitting both opponents on the day and combining to bat .355 across the two contests.
Game 1 MINN 8, UTEP 6
Minnesota (3-4) struck quickly in the top of the first, using a two-RBI triple and an RBI single to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
UTEP responded in the bottom half of the inning when Iliana Munoz delivered an RBI single to score Marissa Burchard and cut the deficit to 3-1.
The Gophers added an unearned run in the third, but the Miners continued to chip away. Aaliyah Betancourt doubled to left center in the fourth to bring home Ari Leon, making it 4-2.
After Minnesota extended its lead to 5-2 in the fifth, UTEP rallied in the bottom of the frame. The Miners capitalized on defensive miscues, tying the game at 5-5 behind RBI efforts from Halle Hogan and Paige Lassiter.
Minnesota regained control with a two-run homer in the sixth and added a solo shot in the seventh to stretch the lead to 8-5. Camrynn Guthrie answered with a solo home run to center in the bottom of the seventh, but the comeback attempt fell just short.
UTEP outhit Minnesota 12-7 in the contest.
Game 2Â ISU 5, UTEP 3
Idaho State (4-3) opened the nightcap with a two-run home run in the first inning, but UTEP answered in the second.
Marissa Burchard roped a double down the right field line to score two runs and tie the game at 2-2. Brantley Lavas followed with an RBI groundout to give the Miners a 3-2 advantage.
The Bengals responded with a solo homer in the third to even the score at 3-3 and took the lead for good in the fourth on a sacrifice fly. A solo home run in the sixth provided the final margin.
UTEP again held the edge in hits, 10-8, but was unable to capitalize late.
Team Notes
- UTEP outhit Minnesota (12-7) and Idaho State (10-8).
- The Miners combined to hit .355 on the day.
- Aaliyah Betancourt led the way, batting .625 (5-for-8).
- Four additional Miners recorded multi-hit days: Brantley Lavas (3), Marissa Burchard (3), Camrynn Guthrie (3) and Cece Marquez (2).
- Of UTEP's four doubles, Burchard had two, while Betancourt and Guthrie each added one.
- Guthrie hit the lone home run of the day for the Miners and tallied a team-high seven total bases, followed by Betancourt (six) and Burchard (five).
- Burchard also drew three walks.
- Iliana Munoz recorded nine putouts defensively, while Betancourt added seven assists.
- In the circle, Tatyana Vega threw a team-high 8.0 innings across the two games.
ON DECK
UTEP continues play in the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament with a Saturday doubleheader against Montana Grizzlies softball on Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. MST. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
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