Editor’s Note: This is not the most recent UTEP softball game.
A total of 222 fans were in attendance for the Valentine’s Day matchup between the UTEP Miners (4-2) and the Manhattan Jaspers (0-2).
Manhattan came up scoreless in the top of the first while the Miners were able to score in 3 runs. Junior first baseman Iliana Munoz hit a double and earned a run batted in (RBI) from senior base runner Ashlynn Griffith scoring the first run of the game. Senior third baseman Ajia Richard hit a 2-run homer ball to center field and earned 2 RBI’s.
Manhattan missed the mark in the first, second and third innings. On the other hand, the Miners’ senior Ajia Richard got a solo homerun to start off the bottom of the third inning making the score 4-0. Junior right fielder Halle Hogan continued the Miner’s offensive momentum with a single. Senior catcher Kenna Carranza hit a double and Hogan scored the fifth run of the game. The sixth score was run in by freshman runner Cece Marquez and the seventh run was scored by freshman second baseman Marissa Burchard.
The Jaspers scored until the top of the fourth inning. UTEP’s defense had one error and saw a couple of wild pitches thrown which Manhattan took advantage of, getting their base runners into scoring position. The Jaspers ended the top of the fourth inning 7-3.
Although UTEP did not see multiple scores in the bottom of the fourth, Griffith was able to score a run to make it 8-3.
The entire fifth inning saw no runs scored. Manhattan had no hits, while the Miners were able to get two of their own, but UTEP was unable to get any base runners to home plate.
The Miners were the first break out of the game’s scoring drought in the bottom of the sixth. Richard hit another home run to center field making it her third homer of the night.
The top of the seventh was Manhattan’s last chance to tie or win the game. A spark of offensive momentum was seen from freshman utility player Angelina Gencarelli with her single. She was able to reach second base on a wild pitch. Freshman utility player Brianna Estevez walked to first base. Defensive errors occurred on behalf of the Miners when Gencarelli was permitted to score in the fourth run for Manhattan followed by another error which allowed two more runs, making the score 9-6. Unfortunately for the Jaspers, this would be the end of their offensive run. UTEP’s defense had Manhattan ground out the final two outs which resulted in a 9-6 victory over the Jaspers.
The Miners faced Manhattan again on February 15 in a doubleheader, winning both matches.
Kristian Hernandez is a contributing photographer and may be reached at [email protected] and Instagram @northeastvideography.
