GAME 1: Box | Highlights
GAME 2: Box | Highlights

EL PASO - The UTEP softball team (2-0) clinched two resounding victories at the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament hosted at Helen of Troy Field Friday afternoon. The Miners showcased their mettle by overpowering Western Michigan with a 5-1 triumph, followed by a commanding 4-1 win against Abilene Christian. UTEP's pitching trifecta played a pivotal role in securing the team's victories and sets an exciting tone for the remainder of the season. 

UTEP's dynamic pitching duo, graduate student Taja Felder and freshman Faith Aragon, marked their debut with stellar victories. Felder showcased her dominance against Western Michigan, retiring four batters while allowing only two hits, one run, and issuing one walk. Aragon's debut was equally remarkable as she sent eight Abilene Christian batters back to the dugout, conceding just one run on four hits with zero walks. The two pitchers combined for six hits, two runs, and an impressive 12 strikeouts. Zaylie Calderon efficiently closed out both games, striking out one of the six batters faced during her two innings pitched.  

Game 1 | UTEP 5, WMU 1 
UTEP's dominant performance against the Broncos showcased a formidable combination of solid defense and explosive offense. Holding Western Michigan scoreless for five innings, the Miners surged ahead with four runs. The first inning saw Ajia Richard's triple driving in Lexi Morales, who had earned a leadoff walk. The third inning witnessed consecutive homers from Morales and Ashlynn Allen, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead. Halle Hogan's double, followed by Amaya Lee's single, added another run in the same inning, putting UTEP up 4-0. In the sixth, Western Michigan managed a solitary run off a Haley Boxwell groundout, scoring Payton Kelly with a leadoff double. UTEP secured their victory with an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, as Kendall Angulo's groundout plated Aaliyah Rebolldeo, who pinch ran for Idalis Mendez earlier in the inning. The Miners retired all three WMU batters in the final frame, sealing the win with a final score of 5-1. 

Game 2 | UTEP 4, ACU 1 
UTEP secured their second triumph of the day with a 4-1 victory over ACU, capitalizing on early offensive firepower. The Miners orchestrated all their runs in the initial two innings, establishing a formidable lead. In the first inning, back-to-back walks by Kenna Collett and Anna Sample, with the bases loaded, allowed Richard and Hogan to cross the plate. The second inning saw Hogan's impressive homer to right field, driving in Richard who had doubled just before her, propelling the Miners to a 4-0 advantage. ACU responded with a lone run in the third, courtesy of a Sammie Shelander double that scored Skylar Padgett, who initiated the inning with a leadoff single. The game remained scoreless for both teams thereafter, and Calderon earned a save as she sealed the victory with a two-out strikeout in the seventh inning, solidifying UTEP's 4-1 win. 

ON DECK 
The Miners will face off Against Western Michigan (1-1) at 11 a.m. MT and Monmouth (0-2) at 2 p.m. MT on Saturday (Feb. 10) on day two of the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament at Helen of Troy Field. 

 

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/Twitter) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.