EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP softball team opens a five-game homestand Tuesday afternoon with a midweek matchup New Mexico on March 3 at 3 p.m. MT at Helen of Troy Field.
The contest will serve as the "Sun City Game" and an Orange Out as the Miners return home following a competitive weekend at the UNM Invitational.
Ticket Information
Single-game tickets are available for $8.35. Fans can secure their seats through the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office by calling (915) 747-UTEP, emailing tickets@utep.edu, visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets, or in person at 201 Glory Road (Brumbelow Building, UTEP Campus) during business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Schedule
Tuesday, March 3
New Mexico | 3 pm MST
Coverage: Live Stats | ESPN+
Coming Home After a Busy Weekend
UTEP (8-9) wrapped up play in Albuquerque with a 2-3 mark, highlighted by a dominant 16-3 run-rule victory over Tarleton State to close the tournament. The Miners opened the weekend by splitting Friday's slate, rallying for a 3-2 walk-off win over Houston Christian before falling in extra innings, 8-7, to host New Mexico. UTEP erased a late deficit with a four-run seventh inning in that contest before the Lobos answered with a walk-off in the eighth.
Offensively, the Miners were consistent throughout the weekend. UTEP batted .419 on opening day (26-for-62) and followed with 17 hits on Saturday. The tournament finale showcased the Miners' most explosive outing of the season, as they matched a season-best 16 hits and posted a season-high .533 batting average in the five-inning victory over Tarleton State. UTEP produced seven doubles and three home runs in the win, highlighted by back-to-back home runs and a grand slam during an eight-run second inning.
Leadoff Report
Offensive Leaders
Marissa Burchard continues to pace the Miners' offense, leading the team in batting average (.475), hits (28), runs (18), doubles (9), RBI (15), total bases (48), slugging percentage (.814), on-base percentage (.523) and stolen bases (9-10). She ranks among the NCAA's top performers, sitting No. 11 nationally in doubles and No. 14 in doubles per game.
Guthrie is hitting .447 with 21 hits and shares the team lead with three home runs while ranking among the NCAA leaders in sacrifice flies (3). Carranza also has three home runs and 14 RBI. Burchard and Brantley Lavas are the only two Miners to have started all 17 games this season, while Lavas leads the team with 10 walks.
As a team, UTEP is batting .351, ranking inside the top 30 nationally, and has out-hit opponents 169-161. The Miners rank second in the nation in doubles per game (2.59) and have totaled 63 extra-base hits (44 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs). UTEP holds a .977 fielding percentage and has turned eight double plays.
In the Circle
Vega anchors the pitching staff with 62.0 innings pitched, 14 appearances and seven starts. She owns three complete games and 26 strikeouts while ranking among the NCAA's top 25 in innings pitched, victories and appearances.
Scouting the Lobos
New Mexico Lobos softball enters Tuesday's contest at 9-9 overall after going 4-1 at its home invitational. The Lobos hit .341 on the weekend and outscored opponents 30-17, highlighted by multiple four-plus-run innings, including a four-run seventh against UTEP in last weekend's extra-inning win.
On the season, UNM is batting .277, led by Briana Williams (19 hits) and Briones and A. Williams (18 hits each). In the circle, McKenna Guest and Caitlin Benningfield share the team lead with 42.2 innings pitched, with Benningfield tallying 41 strikeouts. The Lobos have also drawn 53 walks this season and are 11-12 on stolen base attempts.
Series History
New Mexico holds a narrow 20-17 advantage in the all-time series. The two programs met just days ago in Albuquerque, where the Lobos claimed an 8-7 walk-off victory in eight innings.
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