The UTEP softball team (10-13, 1-2 Conference USA) fell to UTSA (7-14, 2-1 C-USA) 9-1 in five innings to close out the conference series opener Sunday afternoon at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
UTSA jumped to a 9-0 lead over the first three innings. The Roadrunners posted two runs in the first on an RBI single by Marena Estell and a run-scoring groundout from Kat Ibarra, then recorded five runs on five hits in the second to extend the lead 7-0. A two-run home run by Kaitlyn Morado in the third lifted the Roadrunners up 9-0.
Pinch hitting for Savannah Favre in the bottom of the third, Aaliyah Rebolledo reached on a fielder’s choice for UTEP, advancing Lexi Morales after she had singled up the middle.
Rebolledo advanced to third off Ajia Richard’s single and was plated shortly after on a wild pitch, landing the Miners on the board at 9-1.
UTSA held the Miners to no runs in the last two innings to end the game in a 9-1 run-rule final.
UTEP will be back in action in Murray, Ky. for a midweek matchup against Murray State (12-8) on Thursday (March 17) at 3 p.m. MT.
The Miners will depart for Bowling Green, Ky. the following day to take on Western Kentucky (18-4, 2-1 C-USA) in a three-game series that runs March 18-20.
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