C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019)
2019 (SENIOR): Started 48 games as an outfielder … led the team with six steals … only player in UTEP history to lead the team in steals for four-consecutive seasons … tied for third all-time in stolen bases for a career (23) … tallied a .302 on-base percentage … rated sixth in putouts (57) on the team … produced three multi-hit games … during a six-game stretch from March 19-30, batted .467 with seven hits, and a .579 OBP … recorded three hits against Florida Atlantic (4/19) … knocked the first RBI of the year versus FIU on senior day (5/5).
2018 (JUNIOR): Made 45 starts in 51 games played in centerfield … ranked tied for fourth on the program’s all-time sacrifice hit’s list with 13 … hit .462 (12-26) during a nine-game hitting streak (Feb. 16-24) – hitting streak tied for team high … scored a career-high 23 runs, while adding a career-best and team-high 10 stolen bases (10 attempts) … 10 stolen bases ranked tied for sixth-most during a single season in program history ... hit .268 with a double and RBI … drew 11 walks and was hit by a pitch … defensively, recorded 53 putouts and two assists … went 2-for-3 with a run scored during an 8-0 [5] win against New Mexico (Feb. 17) … tied career high in hits on a 3-for-4 outing against Rutgers … went a combined 3-for-7 with two runs during a Friday sweep against UTSA … came up with a huge game one performance during a victory against North Texas, tying a career best with three runs scored on a 3-for-4 outing while leading off in the order … combined numbers during a North Texas sweep: 5-for-10 with five runs and a stolen base … during a Saturday sweep of LA Tech, went a combined 3-for-7 with two runs scored.
2017 (SOPHOMORE): Played in 38 contests, making 32 starts in center field … led the team in stolen bases (five) and tied for team lead in sacrifice hits (five) … hit .265 (18-68) and scored 16 runs … drew three walks … registered 47 putouts and four assists … season highlight came against WKU in game two (4/8) when she stole a home run off the fence in center field, while going 2-for-2 at the plate … tied career high in hits on a 3-for-3 outing and crossed home plate twice against Virginia (2/10) … scored a career-high three runs in a victory against Southern Miss (3/25) …recorded a career-high five putouts, while producing a 2-for-4 effort at the plate with a run scored during a 10-inning victory at UTSA (4/1) … went 4-for-6 with two runs during a doubleheader against rival NM State (3/28).
2016 (FRESHMAN): Played in 34 contests, making 22 starts … hit .290 (18-of-62) with 15 runs scored, an RBI and tied for team lead with two stolen bases … played 29 games in the outfield, registering 21 putouts and an assist … in second career start, recorded first collegiate hits on a 2-for-2 performance and scored first career runs (two), while registering first collegiate stolen base in a win over Incarnate Word (2/11) … went 1-for-2 with a run scored during a win at UNLV (2/19); Miners’ first road win since May 4, 2014 … recorded career high in hits on a 3-for-4 day during a win against Grand Canyon (2/21) … drew a walk and stole a base against BYU (3/4) … went 2-for-3 at Marshall (3/12) … went 3-for-7 and scored two runs during New Mexico series (3/15) … scored a run during UTEP’s five-run seventh inning that resulted in a 9-6 come-from-behind win at Middle Tennessee (4/17) … went 1-for-3 and scored a pair of runs during a game one win against LA Tech (3/19) … in Conference USA Tournament, went 1-for-2 with two runs and first career RBI during a 5-4 first round win over FIU (5/11).
PRIOR TO UTEP: Played four years on the varsity squad at Hanks High School … named to El Paso Time All-City first team after senior campaign … led the Knights in stolen bases (39), walks (30) and runs scored (65) … ranked third in the state of Texas in stolen bases and ranked second in runs scored … the starting outfielder hit .469 (53-113) with 25 RBI, six doubles, a triple and two home runs in 34 games … efforts helped Hanks to a 28-6 record (13-1 district) and the District 2-5A championship, while advancing to the fourth round of the Class 5A softball playoffs … produced 20 multi-hit games, including four three-hit performances … tallied a season-high four RBI during a win over Coronado … went 2-for-3 with two RBI, three runs and four stolen bags in a victory over Del Valle … scored three runs and stole four bases during a triumph over Horizon … voted the District 2-4A Most Valuable Players after junior season … hit .510 with 62 RBI, 151 runs scored and 82 stolen bases in 79 career games at Hanks ... club was the El Paso Firecrackers coached by Martin Poole.
PERSONAL: Ariel Jae Blair is the daughter of Jason and Rachael Blair…father played tight end for UTEP football (1993-96)… has one sister…born in El Paso, Texas…health promotion major…nickname is AJ.
