- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 414,546
- Reaction score
- 43
The UTEP softball team did just about everything well in an out-of-nowhere sweep of a New Mexico State team that came into the three-game series tied for second in Conference USA.
What the Miners did best was battle and compete against a team that began the series six games ahead of them in the Conference USA standings. That's a three-game gap now after UTEP finished off a sweep with a commanding 7-2 win on Sunday, April 6, in front of a near-sellout crowd of 506 at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
UTEP improved to 5-10 in CUSA, 15-19 overall, while NMSU fell to 8-7, 21-17. The Aggies played Sunday without their all-American candidate Desirae Spearman, a Hanks alum, who was injured in an outfield collision Saturday. She was with the team Sunday but held out as a precaution.
UTEP entered this series coming off a string of close losses and feeling like it had a chance to turn its season around. The Miners now have that opportunity after beating NMSU three times in a season for the first time in program history.
"It definitely propels us, at least from a Conference USA standpoint," coach TJ Hubbard said. "The kids, whoever it was in the circle, whoever it was playing defense or offense, they competed. It's a passionate rivalry going on, it got heated at times and the kids did a good job of holding their composure and competing first pitch to last pitch."
The series sweep included a sold-out crowd of 525 that saw UTEP's 7-4 win Saturday night.
As often happens when matters are going well for UTEP, Ajia Richard led the way at the plate Sunday, going 4-for-4.
"It boosts our self-esteem," said Richard, a Silver City, New Mexico, native. "It makes us want to be better. That is one of the best teams in our conference, to sweep them after what we had shown and displayed, it shows you can't count us out, not yet."
More: UTEP's Lynne Sepulveda brings Americas pedigree to Miners softball as they take on NMSU
UTEP pitcher Serenity Jacoway was in trouble in the early innings but kept finding a way through and finished with a complete game. She was helped by a defense that played error-free and turned a double play behind her.
"The support behind me, knowing the team had my back every pitch, helps me be sure of what I'm throwing. This helps bring up the morale, keeps us going in conference play. Now we have the momentum."
UTEP got two runs in each of the first two innings to take a quick 4-1 lead. Kenna Carranza added a home run for the Miners, while Kristiana Watson's home run for the Aggies accounted for half of their runs.
That all added up to what could be a season-turning weekend for a UTEP softball team that smashed its way out of its troubles.
UTEP hosts Arizona State in a home double header that begins noon Wednesday, April 9, at Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
New Mexico State starts a three-game set with No. 24 Liberty at 6 p.m. Friday at the New Mexico State Softball Complex.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP softball completes upset sweep of New Mexico State with big win
Continue reading...
What the Miners did best was battle and compete against a team that began the series six games ahead of them in the Conference USA standings. That's a three-game gap now after UTEP finished off a sweep with a commanding 7-2 win on Sunday, April 6, in front of a near-sellout crowd of 506 at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
You must be registered for see images attach
UTEP improved to 5-10 in CUSA, 15-19 overall, while NMSU fell to 8-7, 21-17. The Aggies played Sunday without their all-American candidate Desirae Spearman, a Hanks alum, who was injured in an outfield collision Saturday. She was with the team Sunday but held out as a precaution.
UTEP entered this series coming off a string of close losses and feeling like it had a chance to turn its season around. The Miners now have that opportunity after beating NMSU three times in a season for the first time in program history.
Softball rivalry sweep
"It definitely propels us, at least from a Conference USA standpoint," coach TJ Hubbard said. "The kids, whoever it was in the circle, whoever it was playing defense or offense, they competed. It's a passionate rivalry going on, it got heated at times and the kids did a good job of holding their composure and competing first pitch to last pitch."
The series sweep included a sold-out crowd of 525 that saw UTEP's 7-4 win Saturday night.
As often happens when matters are going well for UTEP, Ajia Richard led the way at the plate Sunday, going 4-for-4.
"It boosts our self-esteem," said Richard, a Silver City, New Mexico, native. "It makes us want to be better. That is one of the best teams in our conference, to sweep them after what we had shown and displayed, it shows you can't count us out, not yet."
More: UTEP's Lynne Sepulveda brings Americas pedigree to Miners softball as they take on NMSU
UTEP pitcher Serenity Jacoway was in trouble in the early innings but kept finding a way through and finished with a complete game. She was helped by a defense that played error-free and turned a double play behind her.
"The support behind me, knowing the team had my back every pitch, helps me be sure of what I'm throwing. This helps bring up the morale, keeps us going in conference play. Now we have the momentum."
UTEP got two runs in each of the first two innings to take a quick 4-1 lead. Kenna Carranza added a home run for the Miners, while Kristiana Watson's home run for the Aggies accounted for half of their runs.
That all added up to what could be a season-turning weekend for a UTEP softball team that smashed its way out of its troubles.
Up next
UTEP hosts Arizona State in a home double header that begins noon Wednesday, April 9, at Helen of Troy Softball Complex.
New Mexico State starts a three-game set with No. 24 Liberty at 6 p.m. Friday at the New Mexico State Softball Complex.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP softball completes upset sweep of New Mexico State with big win
Continue reading...
