March 1, 2015
Final Stats
UTEP 1, UC Riverside 2 
2015 Softball Stats
TUCSON, Ariz. - Kaitlin Fifield pitched a full game - 6.0 innings with only one earned run and two Ks, but Chelsea Ponce threw a complete game - 7.0 innings with six Ks and allowed only two hits, as UC Riverside got past UTEP, 2-1, on Sunday during the final day of the Wildcat Invitational at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
In the bottom third, the Highlanders (15-5) scored the game's first run when Taylor Wright crossed home plate with two outs on a fielding miscue. Karina Romero hit a ball to the first baseman, but it wasn't fielding cleanly, allowing Wright to score.
The Miners (3-17) tied the contest during the top fourth. Kiki Pepi was hit by pitch with one out and Danielle Pearson reached on an error by the shortstop. Kaitlin Ryder knocked in Pepi on a 2-2 pitch.
Romero gave her squad the lead for good in the bottom fifth. With two outs and runners at first and second, she singled to left field on a 0-0 pitch, scoring Wright from second. But the Miners were able to get out of the inning as Stephanie Tickemyer advanced to second and then thrown out at third on a 7-2-5 play.
Ponce held UTEP batters in check the remaining two frames, as Ryder was the only batter to reach base. She walked in the sixth with two outs, but a pop out ended the inning. Ponce then retired the side in the seventh to notch her 10th victory of the season.
Wildcat Weekend
Jade Rodriguez added another hit to her breakout weekend, going 1-for-3. The junior hit .462, connecting on six hits and scoring two runs. Freshman Taylor Sargent tallied five RBI, hit a home run and hit .500 (7-for-14). Ryder recorded three RBI, while hitting .571 (4-for-7). Kawehiokalani Netane hit .467 (7-for-15), a home run, registered four RBI and scored four runs. Tahla Wade scored three runs and Pepi added four.
Up Next
UTEP will return to action on March 3 against New Mexico in Albuquerque. The Miners and Lobos will play a doubleheader, starting at noon MT. UTEP will begin Conference USA action on March 7 against Middle Tennessee during a doubleheader, beginning at 4 p.m.
