EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball dropped the series opener, 9-3, against Delaware Thursday night at Helen of Troy Field.
With the loss, the Miners move to 11-21 overall and 3-10 in Conference USA play, while the Blue Hens improve to 16-17 overall and 6-7 in league action.
Delaware struck early with a two-run home run in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead. UTEP answered in the bottom half of the inning when Kenna Carranza delivered an RBI double to center field to score Camrynn Guthrie and cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Blue Hens responded with another two-run homer in the third to extend their advantage to 4-1, then capitalized on a Miner error in the fifth to push the lead to 6-1.
UTEP showed life in the bottom of the fifth as Iliana Munoz blasted a two-run home run to center field, bringing home Paige Lassiter and trimming the deficit to 6-3. However, Delaware added three more runs in the sixth, including a two-run homer, to seal the 9-3 victory.
The Miners were outhit 12-6 on the night. Munoz paced the offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Carranza, Mallory Zylinski Wrobel, Halle Hogan and Bri Garcia each recorded a hit, with Carranza and Zylinski Wrobel both adding doubles.
UTEP drew four walks from Camrynn Guthrie, Aaliyah Betancourt, Cece Marquez and MJ Nicholson, while Betancourt was also hit by a pitch.
Defensively, Munoz led the way with 10 putouts at first base, and Marissa Burchard recorded a team-high four assists at shortstop.
Arianna Flores (2-6) took the loss in the circle after starting and pitching 2.0 innings. Serenity Jacoway followed with 2.2 innings of relief, while Hannah Jones added 1.1 innings. Kendall Angulo closed out the game with a scoreless final frame, allowing just one hit.
On Deck
UTEP will continue the series against Delaware in game two, set for 4 p.m. MDT on Friday, April 3 at Helen of Troy Field. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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