UTEP Softball Drops Midweek Contest to Arizona State

EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball dropped its midweek matchup against No. 25/RV Arizona State, 10-1, Tuesday afternoon at Helen of Troy Field.

UTEP moves to 9-13 on the season while Arizona State improves to 20-6.

Game Summary

Arizona State struck first in the second inning with a solo home run to center field to open the scoring. The Sun Devils continued the rally later in the inning with a two-run double to right center to extend the lead to 3-0.

ASU added to its advantage in the third inning with a two-run home run to left field, pushing the margin to 5-0.

UTEP answered in the bottom of the third inning behind Aaliyah Betancourt. The freshman blasted a solo home run over the right-field wall to put the Miners on the board and cut the deficit to 5-1.

Arizona State continued to add insurance runs throughout the game. An RBI single in the fifth inning made it 6-1. The Sun Devils then broke the game open in the seventh inning with a solo home run, an RBI fielder’s choice and a two-run single that was aided by a fielding error, sealing the 10-1 final.

Arizona State out-hit the Miners 12-6 on the afternoon, finishing with a .387 team batting average compared to UTEP’s .250.

Betancourt led UTEP at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a home run and the Miners’ lone run of the game. Kenna Carranza, Mallory Zylinski Wrobel, Halle Hogan and Cece Marquez each recorded a hit, with Hogan adding a double.

Arizona State’s pitcher, Meika Lauppe, earned the win to improve to 6-2 on the season. UTEP’s Arianna Flores was tagged with the loss and falls to 0-2.

Arizona State Head Coach Megan Bartlett

On what she thinks it meant to Sydney and Yazzy to have standout performances in front of their friends and family: 

“I’m sure it meant the world to both of them. Those are such lovely families and – geographically – close enough that we see them a lot, but there’s just something special about showing out like that in your hometown. I’m super proud of the whole team, but I’m really happy for Yazzy and Sydney.”

On how Yazzy’s second-inning home run set the tone for the game:

“Oh, for sure, it broke the whole thing open, to be honest. She got her teammates going and that’s kind of how this team rolls: once someone catches momentum, watch out. So, for her to be able to start the fire was really cool to see.”

On the team bouncing back from Sunday to have a performance like Tuesday’s:

“Honestly, I thought we played well in all three phases of the game, so that was kind of amazing to see. I know the pitching staff’s goal was to not give up a walk or allow the leadoff batter on base to start the inning. I know that pitching staff is going to be tough to beat when they are pounding the strike zone. Hopefully, last weekend was a learning experience for everybody.”

Sydney Saenz – ASU/ Americas Trailblazer Grad –

On her seventh-inning home run:

“I was just looking for something over the plate and to get a hard barrel on it. Honestly, when I hit it, I was hoping the wind didn’t push it down, but I thought I got all of it so I’m glad it went out.”

On what it felt like to hit her first career home run in her hometown:

“Everything. I’m just glad it happened in front of all the people I love most. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other team.”

On how it felt playing in front of her friends and family:

“Oh, it was so awesome. I’m so glad it happened. Some friends and happy aren’t able to get to come out to ASU, so for them to be able to come out here and watch a game means a lot to me.”

Yazzy Avila ASU/ Pebble Hills Grad –

On how her second-inning home run set the tone for the game:

“Honestly, I just wanted to come out swinging aggressively for the team and everything. I love this team, so as soon as I went to the plate, I was like, ‘Alright, I’m going to be aggressive. I didn’t want to be passive or anything, so yeah, I just wanted to be aggressive in the moment.”

On how it felt to have a 3-for-3 game in front of her friends and family:

“Oh, it was so amazing. My theos and aunties were able to come out. I actually had my theo yell for me, so I was like, ‘Oh my goodness,’ right before I was hitting. But no, it was awesome to be able to have the whole family here, especially with it being my hometown. I would come here to watch games while I was growing up, so being able to play on this field is really awesome.”

On how it felt being able to bounce back after Sunday’s game:

“We just faced a lot of adversity over the weekend, but we are a strong team, so we know once we are able to put our minds together, nothing is stopping us.”

On Deck
UTEP will resume Conference USA play March 13–15 when the Miners travel to Miami, Florida, for a three-game series against FIU.