UTEP Athletics

UTEP Softball Heads to Albuquerque for UNM Invitational

2/26/2026 8:00:00 PM

EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP softball team (6-6) will hit the road for the first time this season as the Miners travel to Albuquerque, N.M., to compete in the UNM Invitational, set for Feb. 27–March 1.

UTEP opens tournament play Friday with matchups against Houston Christian and host New Mexico. The Miners return to action Saturday to face Houston Christian and Tarleton State before wrapping up the weekend with a rematch against Tarleton State on Sunday.

Weekend Schedule

Miners Building Momentum

UTEP enters the weekend looking to build on a competitive showing at the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament. After opening the event with losses to Minnesota (8-6) and Idaho State (5-3), the Miners responded with an explosive Saturday sweep of Montana, winning 15-14 in eight innings and 5-4. UTEP hit .382 on the day, produced 26 hits, went a perfect 5-for-5 on stolen bases and played error-free defense. Bri Garcia (.625) and Marissa Burchard (.600) led a balanced offensive attack, while Tatyana Vega earned both victories and tossed a complete game.

The Miners carried that momentum into Sunday, earning a 5-4 walk-off victory over Idaho State for their third walk-off win of the season before falling to No. 4 Oklahoma in the finale. UTEP out-hit Idaho State 7-3 in the win, with Halle Hogan delivering the game-winning RBI. Vega added another complete game to improve to 6-2 on the year.

Three Miners — Marissa Burchard, Camrynn Guthrie and Brantley Lavas — were named to the All-Tournament Team. The weekend followed a familiar pattern for UTEP, as the Miners bounced back from early losses with a Saturday sweep and a Sunday redemption win.

Leadoff Report

Marissa Burchard has been the catalyst for the Miners' offense, leading the team with a .474 batting average, 18 hits, 12 runs scored, seven doubles, 12 RBI, a .545 on-base percentage and an .816 slugging percentage. She has also swiped eight bases in nine attempts and is one of two Miners, along with Brantley Lavas, to start all 12 games.

Camrynn Guthrie leads the team with three home runs and 11 RBI, while Iliana Munoz (37 at-bats) and Bri Garcia (nine runs) have also been key contributors. As a team, UTEP is hitting .330 with 110 hits, 12 home runs and a .976 fielding percentage.

In the circle, Tatyana Vega anchors the staff with a 6-2 record, 45.1 innings pitched, three complete games and 24 strikeouts across 11 appearances. She ranks among the NCAA leaders in victories (no. 8), innings pitched (no. 31) and appearances (no. 34).

Defensively, Munoz leads the team with 48 putouts, while Burchard tops the squad with 25 assists.

Nationally, UTEP ranks inside the NCAA top 50 in doubles per game (20th) and fielding percentage (31st), while leading Conference USA in slugging percentage (.526). Individually, Burchard ranks among the nation's top 100 in six categories, Guthrie sits fifth nationally in sacrifice flies (3), and Vega is eighth in the NCAA in victories.

Scouting the Field

Houston Christian (2-12)
The Huskies are hitting .224 and are led by Jocelyn Briseno (.333). Chloe Foster paces the team in hits (10), total bases (12) and RBI (7). In the circle, Cara Pitman leads with 29.2 innings pitched, while Addy Prasifka tops the staff with 15 strikeouts. HCU carries a 6.97 team ERA.

New Mexico (5-8)
The Lobos are batting .252, led by Miracle McKenzie (.343), who also has four doubles and 10 RBI. Briana Williams leads the team with 13 hits. McKenna Guest has thrown a team-high 37.0 innings, while Caitlin Benningfield leads the staff with 31 strikeouts. The pitching staff owns a 4.28 ERA.

Tarleton State (11-5)
The Texans bring one of the nation's top offenses, hitting .363. Hayden Fox leads the way at .512, while Mikayla Wilson (28 hits) and Macie Vickers (22 hits, nine doubles, 27 RBI) headline the lineup. The pitching staff carries a 5.00 ERA, led by Sadie Beck (23.0 innings).

Series History

Houston Christian – UTEP leads the series 3-2. The programs last met in 2014 in El Paso, where the Miners won both games. This will be the first meeting at a neutral site.

New Mexico – The Lobos hold a 19-17 series advantage, but UTEP swept the season series in 2025 with wins in both El Paso and Albuquerque.

Tarleton State – The Texans lead the series 3-2. UTEP earned its first win in the matchup in 2022 and picked up a 5-2 victory in the most recent meeting in 2023.

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For complete coverage of UTEP Softball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @utepsoftball (Instagram/X) and UTEP Softball on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

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