UTEP softball will travel to Las Cruces, New Mexico, for the annual Battle of I-10 rivalry series against NM State from April 10 to April 12 at the NM State Softball Complex. The three-game set is scheduled with first pitches at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Miners arrive with an overall record of 11-24, while the Aggies stand at 18-20 and hold an 8-7 mark in Conference USA play. This matchup is significant as it continues a longstanding rivalry between the two programs.
UTEP enters the weekend after a loss to No. 23 Arizona State, where they were held to two hits and fell by a score of 13-0. Ari León reached base twice via walks during that game, and Tatyaana Vega took the loss in the circle, moving her season record to 8-10.
Statistically, UTEP’s offense is led by a player posting a .358 batting average along with team highs in runs scored (28), hits (39), doubles (12), total bases (62), and stolen bases (9-for-11). Burchard has started all games this season alongside another teammate; Aailyah Betancourt has made nearly every start as well. Power hitting comes from another Miner who leads with five home runs—including a grand slam—and holds the top spot in runs batted in with 23.
On defense, Iliana Muñoz leads UTEP with 148 putouts while Betancourt adds strength at her position with over seventy putouts herself. Carranza has thrown out five runners attempting steals this year as part of a defensive unit that carries a .970 fielding percentage.
NM State enters boasting strong offensive numbers—a .319 team batting average and notable power from Kendal Lunar’s twelve home runs and thirty-three RBI—while Faith Aragon leads both offensively (.412 average) and as their pitching anchor (2.81 ERA). The Aggies have historically led this rivalry but saw UTEP sweep last year’s three-game series in El Paso.
