EL PASO, Texas – UTEP Softball dropped both games on opening day of the UTEP Invitational on Friday at the Helen of Troy Softball Field, falling 9–4 to Utah Valley before an 8–0 setback against St. Thomas.
GAME 1 Utah Valley 9, UTEP 4
The Wolverines opened the scoring in the top of the second inning with a solo home run to left field, taking a 1–0 advantage. Utah Valley added to its lead in the fifth, stringing together extra-base hits to plate three runs and extend the margin to 4–0.
UTEP answered in the bottom of the seventh. A solo home run by Camrynn Guthrie cut the deficit to three before Paige Lassiter's three-run blast later in the inning evened the score at 4–4 and forced extra innings.
Utah Valley quickly regained control in the top of the eighth. A two-run home run put the Wolverines back in front before a two-run single and an RBI base hit capped a five-run frame, pushing the lead to 9–4.
The Miners were unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning, as Utah Valley closed out the game to secure the win.
GAME 2 St. Thomas 8, UTEP 0
The Tommies opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff walk and a single put runners on, a groundout brought home the game's first run to give St. Thomas a 1–0 lead.
UTEP worked through traffic defensively over the next few innings, but St. Thomas extended its advantage in the top of the fifth. A bases-loaded walk plated a run before a two-run single made it 4–0. The inning was capped by a three-run home run to left field, pushing the lead to 7–0.
St. Thomas added its final run in the seventh inning on an RBI single to center field, extending the margin to 8–0.
The Miners threatened at times, putting runners on base in multiple innings, but were unable to generate a run as St. Thomas pitching limited UTEP's offensive opportunities throughout the contest.
Stat Notes
Seven Miners recorded at least one hit on opening day, with Camrynn Guthrie the lone UTEP player to post a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-5. Guthrie and Paige Lassiter each homered in the opener against Utah Valley, accounting for both of UTEP's home runs on the day.
Lassiter drove in a team-high three RBIs, while Guthrie added one. UTEP showed discipline at the plate, earning six walks overall, led by Brantley Lavas, who drew three free passes.
Defensively, Lavas anchored the outfield with a team-high eight putouts in center field, while Aaliyah Betancourt paced the Miners with three assists. UTEP played error-free defense across both games.
In the circle, the Miners' pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts. Tatyana Vega led the way with eight punchouts over a staff-high 7.0 innings, while Arianna Flores added four strikeouts in her start.
ON DECK
The UTEP Invitational continues Saturday, Feb. 8, as the Miners host UT Arlington for a doubleheader at the Helen of Troy Softball Field. First pitch is set for 11 a.m., followed by game two at 2 p.m. There will be no live stream available, but live stats will be provided for fans to follow along.
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