EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP softball team (10-12, 1-1 Conference USA) rallied past UTSA 4-3 with a walk-off sacrifice fly by Karina Somoza in the first of two games Saturday afternoon at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex. The Miners would go on to split the doubleheader, falling to the Roadrunners 6-3 later in the evening.
GAME 1 | UTEP 4, UTSA 3
UTSA (6-14, 1-1 C-USA) struck first in the third inning via a solo home run by Kat Ibarra. The Miners reciprocated with an RBI single by Ajia Richard that scored Lexi Morales, who led off for the Miners with a double to left center, to tie up the score 1-1.
The Roadrunners notched a second home run by Marena Estell to start off the fourth inning.
Left field was a sweet spot for the Miners in the bottom of the fourth as Ashlynn Allen singled and Cheyenne Stark doubled in that direction to get on base. Morales posted a two RBI double to left field, plating Allen and Stark to gain back the lead, 3-2.
The game was tied once again in the sixth from a third solo shot by UTSA’s Erykah Guerrero.
In the seventh, Savannah Favre got on base after she singled to second, which she swiped shortly after. Morales had a sacrifice bunt to advance Favre to third. Karina Somoza followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Favre for the 4-3 win.
Miner Quick Hits
- Lexi Morales: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, 2B (2)
- Ajia Richard: 2-for-3, RBI
- Karina Somoza: RBI
- Cheyenne Stark: 2B
Pitching Highlights
Aalijah Alarcon: 7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, BB, 6 K
Alarcon recorded her fifth complete-game victory.
GAME 2 | UTSA 6, UTEP 3
The Roadrunners took a 6-1 lead after five innings.
UTSA’s lead consisted of four home runs, an RBI walk and an RBI single.
UTEP got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Lexi Morales belted a solo home run to left field.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Morales had a standup double that scored Ashlynn Allen. She had led off for the Miners with a double down the left field line. Karina Somoza then scored Morales after she singled to left center, but the Miners’ rally came up short as Pate Cathey popped up to right field leaving Somoza on base.
Miner Quick Hits
- Lexi Morales: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, HR, 2B
- Karina Somoza: 1-for-3, RBI
- Ashlynn Allen: 2B
ON DECK
The Miners are back in action as they conclude their three-game series against UTSA on Sunday (Mar. 13) at 12 p.m. MT at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.