EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball secured a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory over Sam Houston in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Helen of Troy Field, closing out Conference USA opening weekend.
With the win, the Miners improved to 9-12 overall and 1-2 in CUSA play, while the Bearkats moved to 16-10 overall and 2-1 in league action.
Overall Recap
UTEP and Sam Houston each finished with seven hits in the tightly contested game. Kenna Carranza paced the Miners at the plate, going 2-for-3 and delivering the walk-off RBI. Halle Hogan and Bri Garcia also recorded RBIs, while Marissa Burchard and Garcia each added doubles and Hogan supplied the Miners' lone home run.
Tatyana Vega earned the win in relief to improve to 8-4 on the season.
The victory marked UTEP's fifth walk-off win of the year and the second delivered by Carranza. It was also the seventh time this season the Miners have won by a single run.
Game Summary
UTEP struck first in the bottom of the second. After Aaliyah Betancourt singled through the left side, Garcia drove a double into right-center field to bring Betancourt home and give the Miners a 1-0 lead.
Sam Houston answered in the third inning when a leadoff double came around to score on a single to center, tying the game at 1-1.
The Miners reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning when Hogan launched a leadoff home run to right field, putting UTEP ahead 2-1.
Sam Houston threatened again in the fifth inning, loading the bases with two outs, but UTEP reliever Tatyana Vega helped the Miners escape the jam and preserve the lead.
The Bearkats tied the game in the seventh inning after loading the bases and drawing an RBI walk to make it 2-2. UTEP responded defensively with a key pickoff at third for the second out before Vega recorded a strikeout to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Miners delivered the final blow. Burchard led off with a double to left field before Carranza followed with a single to left, scoring Burchard and sealing the 3-2 walk-off victory.
Notable Moment
The second inning included an unusual sequence that led to brief confusion on the field. After a late illegal pitch call negated what appeared to be the first out of the inning, Sam Houston eventually recorded two outs. However, Sam Houston's second batter returned to the box without umpire instruction, resulting in an out-of-order violation that led to the next hitter being automatically ruled the third out following a conference between umpires and both head coaches.
On Deck
UTEP will remain at home to host nationally ranked Arizona State on Tuesday, March 10 at Helen of Troy Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. MDT, with the game streaming on ESPN+.
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