HUNTINGTON – UTEP softball’s Anna Sample singled in the top of the seventh that brought in Ajia Richard for a 4-3 victory over Marshall (31-14, 13-7 Conference USA) Saturday afternoon.
The Miners (15-30, 5-15 C-USA) handed the Thundering Herd their first home loss of the season on Marshall’s Senior Day at Dot Hicks Field.
A 3.5 hour weather delay didn’t shake down the Miners as they took a quick 3-0 lead in the first frame. Lead-off hitters Lexi Morales, Pate Cathey and Ajia Richard loaded the bases off two singles and an error by Marshall’s third baseman.
Anna Sample’s sacrifice fly plated Morales to draw first blood of the game. Ashlynn Allen knocked out a clean single to left field bringing in Cathey and Richard for the 3-0 advantage.
Marshall rallied mid-game as it posted a lone run in the fourth on an RBI-single by Madison Whitaker. Aly Harrell’s two-shot homer over left field in the fifth tied up the game, 3-3.
Richard and Sample came in clutch in the seventh putting the Miners back on top off two errors by Marshall. Richard reached base on an error by the shortstop giving Sample another opportunity at the plate. Sample singled to center field and advanced on the centerfielder’s throwing error that allowed Richard to cross the dish for the 4-3 lead.
UTEP pitcher Aalijah Alarcon (10-13) held the Thundering Herd to no runs in the seventh to secure the win and tacked on another complete-game victory.
The Miners went 4-for-4 in stolen bases with Savannah Favre swiping two, and Morales and Richard stealing one each.
Miner Quick Hits
-
Ashlynn Allen: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
-
Anna Sample: 1-for-3, RBI
-
Lexi Morales: 2-for-3, BB
Pitching Highlights
-
Aalijah Alarcon: 7.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 K
ON DECK
UTEP will conclude its three-game series versus Marshall Sunday, May 1, at 10 a.m. MT. The contest will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats also available.
For all things UTEP, click here; for our complete coverage of the Miners, click here.
