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Lynne Sepulveda knows what's coming this weekend for the UTEP softball team.
The Miners' sophomore back-up catcher, who was a star shortstop on Americas HS's 2022 state qualifying team that rates as perhaps the greatest high school program in El Paso history, will be one of four El Paso high school products at Helen of Troy Softball Complex this weekend when UTEP hosts rival New Mexico State in a three-game series.
Everyone on both rosters who has played in one of these games knows how big it is anytime the Miners and Aggies square off in anything. Sepulveda has known that for far longer than she's worn a UTEP uniform.
"Since I was a little girl I came to the games, especially NMSU," Sepulveda said. "I've been watching this rivalry since I was little. It gets crazy but I'm excited, the second year playing them."
This will be the second time for Sepulveda, her Americas and UTEP teammate Bri Garcia, as well as NMSU's superstar sophomore pitcher/utility player Desirae Spearman, a Hanks alum who was the Conference USA player of the year last year (and freshman of the year, obviously) and currently ranks fourth in the nation in hitting. NSMU won two of three in this series last year in Las Cruces.
This will be the first UTEP/NMSU meeting for the Aggies' second-leading hitter, first baseman Lauren Garcia from Montwood.
New Mexico State comes in as part of a three-way tie for second in CUSA with an 8-4 record (21-14 overall), behind league unbeaten Liberty (11-0). UTEP is 2-10, 12-19 after a string of recent close losses.
Sepulveda always hoped she would get to play in UTEP-NMSU games and now it's come true. As part of this city's most iconic high school softball team and season in 2022, Sepulveda and Bri Garcia are getting to build on their home-town heroics at the next level.
"It's awesome," Sepulveda said. "For the young girls who get to follow you, it's such a blessing. I came here with Bri from Americas and it's been an awesome experience.
"It's so cool, being able to see my family every weekend. That's very sweet."
Sepulveda is still in the process of working her way up the roster. She was recruited to UTEP as a middle infielder, where she was so good at Americas, but was moved to catcher last year to fill a team need.
At the moment that need is for a reliable backup behind senior catcher Kenna Carranza, and to that end Sepulveda has hit .250 (up 25 points from last year) with five doubles and a home run in 36 at-bats. She has a fielding percentage of .957.
"I'm one of the more quiet girls, but I work hard and moving to catcher has helped me get louder," Sepulveda said. "I was ready to do what's best for the team. I like both (catching and infield), but catching you get the ball every pitch, that's cool."
Coach TJ Hubbard is happy to have a versatile player willing to help out wherever she can.
"From a defensive point she's solid behind the plate as far as receiving and commanding the game," Hubbard said. "She does a good job offensively, helps us with some power numbers.
"She started off strong offensively, she's tapered off a little the past few weeks but she brings some good home run/double/extra-base hit power to our lineup."
Sepulveda also brings a local flavor to the roster, which is always welcome.
"It's neat to be able to have some of those local El Paso kids on the team," Hubbard said. "It gives the community something to rally around and get behind, and Lynne is a significant contributor for us. That's good for both parties.
"We've had several of those (Americas players). They are very talented, they come from a strong softball background. When we can get kids from that program it's a plus."
The Aggies have been doing well recruiting the El Paso market as well. Spearman is an All-American candidate, hitting .506 with 17 home runs and also has a 9-4 record as a pitcher with a 2.71 earned run average. Lauren Garcia, in her first season after transferring from New Mexico, is hitting .403 as an every-game starter.
For UTEP, the second baseman Bri Garcia has started 18 games and has a .220 batting average.
So far this season has gone better for New Mexico State than UTEP, but the Miners feel they are close, as five of their 10 CUSA losses have been by one or two runs.
"We had a rough start, but we're really building our chemistry, playing together," Sepulveda said. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish. We're going to do well."
Said Hubbard: "We're trying to right the ship, get back on track. We've had some close losses, we're just trying to get on the right side of those one-run games. I feel like if this weekend goes well, maybe it continues on in the next four weeks of conference play."
That starts with a three-game series against New Mexico State that begins Friday at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
WHAT: A Division I softball three-game series.
WHEN: Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon.
WHERE: Helen of Troy Softball Complex
RECORDS: UTEP is 2-10 in CUSA; 12-19 overall; NMSU is 8-4, 21-14.
TICKETS: $8
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Former America star Lynne Sepulveda excited to play for hometown UTEP
Continue reading...
The Miners' sophomore back-up catcher, who was a star shortstop on Americas HS's 2022 state qualifying team that rates as perhaps the greatest high school program in El Paso history, will be one of four El Paso high school products at Helen of Troy Softball Complex this weekend when UTEP hosts rival New Mexico State in a three-game series.
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Everyone on both rosters who has played in one of these games knows how big it is anytime the Miners and Aggies square off in anything. Sepulveda has known that for far longer than she's worn a UTEP uniform.
"Since I was a little girl I came to the games, especially NMSU," Sepulveda said. "I've been watching this rivalry since I was little. It gets crazy but I'm excited, the second year playing them."
This will be the second time for Sepulveda, her Americas and UTEP teammate Bri Garcia, as well as NMSU's superstar sophomore pitcher/utility player Desirae Spearman, a Hanks alum who was the Conference USA player of the year last year (and freshman of the year, obviously) and currently ranks fourth in the nation in hitting. NSMU won two of three in this series last year in Las Cruces.
This will be the first UTEP/NMSU meeting for the Aggies' second-leading hitter, first baseman Lauren Garcia from Montwood.
You must be registered for see images attach
New Mexico State comes in as part of a three-way tie for second in CUSA with an 8-4 record (21-14 overall), behind league unbeaten Liberty (11-0). UTEP is 2-10, 12-19 after a string of recent close losses.
Sepulveda always hoped she would get to play in UTEP-NMSU games and now it's come true. As part of this city's most iconic high school softball team and season in 2022, Sepulveda and Bri Garcia are getting to build on their home-town heroics at the next level.
"It's awesome," Sepulveda said. "For the young girls who get to follow you, it's such a blessing. I came here with Bri from Americas and it's been an awesome experience.
"It's so cool, being able to see my family every weekend. That's very sweet."
Sepulveda is still in the process of working her way up the roster. She was recruited to UTEP as a middle infielder, where she was so good at Americas, but was moved to catcher last year to fill a team need.
At the moment that need is for a reliable backup behind senior catcher Kenna Carranza, and to that end Sepulveda has hit .250 (up 25 points from last year) with five doubles and a home run in 36 at-bats. She has a fielding percentage of .957.
"I'm one of the more quiet girls, but I work hard and moving to catcher has helped me get louder," Sepulveda said. "I was ready to do what's best for the team. I like both (catching and infield), but catching you get the ball every pitch, that's cool."
Coach TJ Hubbard is happy to have a versatile player willing to help out wherever she can.
"From a defensive point she's solid behind the plate as far as receiving and commanding the game," Hubbard said. "She does a good job offensively, helps us with some power numbers.
"She started off strong offensively, she's tapered off a little the past few weeks but she brings some good home run/double/extra-base hit power to our lineup."
Sepulveda also brings a local flavor to the roster, which is always welcome.
"It's neat to be able to have some of those local El Paso kids on the team," Hubbard said. "It gives the community something to rally around and get behind, and Lynne is a significant contributor for us. That's good for both parties.
"We've had several of those (Americas players). They are very talented, they come from a strong softball background. When we can get kids from that program it's a plus."
The Aggies have been doing well recruiting the El Paso market as well. Spearman is an All-American candidate, hitting .506 with 17 home runs and also has a 9-4 record as a pitcher with a 2.71 earned run average. Lauren Garcia, in her first season after transferring from New Mexico, is hitting .403 as an every-game starter.
For UTEP, the second baseman Bri Garcia has started 18 games and has a .220 batting average.
So far this season has gone better for New Mexico State than UTEP, but the Miners feel they are close, as five of their 10 CUSA losses have been by one or two runs.
"We had a rough start, but we're really building our chemistry, playing together," Sepulveda said. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish. We're going to do well."
Said Hubbard: "We're trying to right the ship, get back on track. We've had some close losses, we're just trying to get on the right side of those one-run games. I feel like if this weekend goes well, maybe it continues on in the next four weeks of conference play."
That starts with a three-game series against New Mexico State that begins Friday at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
UTEP vs New Mexico State softball
WHAT: A Division I softball three-game series.
WHEN: Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon.
WHERE: Helen of Troy Softball Complex
RECORDS: UTEP is 2-10 in CUSA; 12-19 overall; NMSU is 8-4, 21-14.
TICKETS: $8
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Former America star Lynne Sepulveda excited to play for hometown UTEP
Continue reading...
