EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball will close out its five-game homestand and the 2026 home schedule this weekend, hosting Senior Weekend as the Miners welcome Missouri State for a three-game Conference USA series at Helen of Troy Field. First pitch is set for Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m. MDT.
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
Friday, April 24
Missouri State | 6pm MDT
Saturday, April 25
Missouri State | 4pm MDT | postgame senior presentation
Sunday, April 26
Missouri State | 11am MDT | postgame senior presentation
Coverage: Live Stats | ESPN+
Last Time Out
UTEP (11-32, 3-18 CUSA) faced a tough test in a midweek doubleheader against No. 5 Texas Tech, with the Red Raiders taking both games. Texas Tech outscored the Miners 27-1 and outhit UTEP 22-2 across the two contests, capitalizing on early offensive momentum in each game.
In game one, UTEP was limited to just one hit—a fourth-inning single by Cece Marquez—as Texas Tech outhit the Miners 12-1.
In game two, the Miners were again limited offensively, collecting just one hit—a fourth-inning single by Iliana Munoz—while Texas Tech finished with 10 hits. Hannah Jones took the loss in the start. Tatyana Vega provided a bright spot in relief, tossing 5.0 innings and recording three strikeouts against the nationally ranked Red Raiders. Vega struck out Victoria Valdez swinging to end the second inning, caught Desirae Spearman looking to open the fourth, and fanned Nijaree Canady swinging to close the fourth frame. Kenna Carranza also reached base with a leadoff walk in the second inning.
The Leadoff Report
Offensive Leaders
Iliana Munoz leads the Miners offensively with a .319/.369/.487 slash line, while Marissa Burchard has been a steady presence, starting all 43 games this season. Aaliyah Betancourt (42 starts) and Munoz (38 starts) have appeared in all 43 contests, while Brantley Lavas has started and played in 42 games.
Burchard leads the team in runs (29), hits (39), doubles (12), and stolen bases (9-11). Munoz follows with 36 hits, while Kenna Carranza paces the Miners in power categories with seven home runs and 27 RBI, along with a team-best 20 walks drawn. Lavas ranks second in walks with 18. Burchard, Lavas, and Cece Marquez have each recorded a triple this season.
As a team, UTEP is batting .265 with 287 hits, including 67 doubles and 26 home runs. The Miners have drawn 116 walks and are 20-of-29 in stolen base attempts.
In the Circle
Vega leads the staff with a 5.61 ERA and an 8-12 record across 31 appearances (14 starts), totaling 117.1 innings with 56 strikeouts, four complete games, and two saves. Arianna Flores has made 15 starts in 26 appearances, logging 59.2 innings. As a staff, UTEP holds a 7.69 ERA with 103 strikeouts.
Defensive Notes
Munoz leads with 190 putouts, while Betancourt (83) and Burchard (80) pace the team in assists. Munoz has turned a team-high nine double plays, followed by Burchard with eight. UTEP owns a .967 fielding percentage and has turned 19 double plays this season.
National Rankings
UTEP ranks inside the NCAA's top 100 in several categories, including 85th in double plays (17), 78th in double plays per game (0.40), 84th in doubles (67), 63rd in doubles per game, 94th in fielding percentage (.967)
Individually, Vega ranks 66th nationally in appearances (31) and 94th in saves (2).
Walk-Off Wins
Five of UTEP's victories this season have come via walk-off fashion:
- vs. UT Arlington – 16-15 comeback win after trailing by 10 runs
- vs. Montana – 15-14 (8 innings)
- vs. Idaho State – 5-4
- vs. Houston Christian – 3-2
- vs. Sam Houston – 3-2
Game Situations
UTEP has played several tight contests this season:
- 7-4 in one-run games
- 1-4 in two-run games
- 2-22 in games decided by five or more runs
- 1-2 in extra-inning games
- 0-7 in shutouts
Scouting Missouri State
With two weekends remaining in the regular season, Missouri State enters the series ninth in the Conference USA standings, while UTEP sits 11th as both teams push for a spot in the eight-team conference tournament.
The Bears are one of the top defensive teams in the league, ranking 37th nationally and first in CUSA with 20 double plays, while also posting a .967 fielding percentage. Riley Baber and Emily Gerardy rank among the top four in the conference in double plays turned.
Missouri State's pitching staff has recorded seven shutouts (35th nationally) and leads CUSA with seven saves. Paityn Engemann ranks among the national leaders with three saves, while freshman Emily Koranda anchors the rotation with a 2.89 ERA, three shutouts, 10 wins, and 89 strikeouts.
Offensively, Baber leads the Bears with a .345 batting average and 12 doubles, while also tying for the team lead in extra-base hits. Missouri State has found success when controlling the scoreboard, going 12-1 when scoring six or more runs and 15-2 when allowing two runs or fewer.
Series History
This weekend's matchup marks the first-ever meeting between UTEP and Missouri State.
Give a gift to UTEP Softball by donating to the Diamond Club.
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.
