ABILENE – UTEP softball's late seventh-inning rally came up short as Murray State (2-3) nabbed the 7-6 win on the final day of the Wildcat Invitational at Poly Wells Field Sunday morning. Even with the setback, the Miners finished 3-2 at the event including a 7-6 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (3-2) on Saturday to solidify the top spot out of the four teams at the Wildcat Invitational.
"It was a good opening weekend for us," head coach T.J. Hubbard said. "They competed in every game start to finish no matter the score. We had significant contributions from our hitters, made several key defensive plays and pitched our way out of some jams. This team showed what they're capable of in the last two games - they are never out of it and have the guts to fight back no matter the score."
The Racers led 3-0 through three innings. MSU posted on another three runs in the top of the fourth frame, 6-0, off just two hits and three stolen bases.
The Miners managed to snap the deficit in half in the fourth. Savannah Favre opened the bottom of the fourth with a bunt and was able to make her way onto third from Peyton Angulo's single to left center. Anna Sample stepped up to put the Miners on the board with an RBI-single scoring Favre. MSU's first baseman was unable to make the tag on Ashlynn Allen's bunt which loaded the bases forcing a pitching change. Rylan Dooner swooped in with a single up the middle scoring Amaya Lee who pinch ran for Angulo. Caitlyn Brockway grounded out to first base, but served its purpose of plating Sample, 6-3.
The Racers got one last run up on the board in the sixth stretching the lead, 7-3. The Miners left two on base in the bottom of the frame.
UTEP held MSU to no runs in the final frame and despite the late effort, the Miners slapped on three more runs. Pate Cathey led UTEP's last offensive inning with a double to right field just before Lexi Morales drew a walk. Favre found the gap in center field to plate Cathey. Angulo reached on a fielder's choice that knocked off Favre at second, but a throwing error from the shortstop made way for Morales to cross the dish. Sample powered through the right field with a triple that brought in UTEP's final run. With Sample in prime scoring position, a fielder's choice off Allen's hit robbed the Miners of a tying run and the Racers left Allen stranded as they closed the inning for the 7-6 win.
In the circle, Aalijah Alarcon was handed her first loss of the season pitching only two innings before Mackenzee Collins came in relief to finish the game. They combined for four strikeouts, eight hits and seven runs allowed.
Miner Quick Hits
ON DECK
UTEP will host the inaugural Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament Presented by Holiday Inn West-Sunland Park Feb. 16-19 at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex. The tournament will be played in honor of UTEP's esteemed former President who passed away in 2021. Joining UTEP in the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament field will be Buffalo, New Mexico, Santa Clara and Texas Tech.
For complete coverage of UTEP Softball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @utepsoftball (Instagram/Twitter) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.
