Collett’s Walk-Off Bomb Propels UTEP Past Sam Houston 

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- UTEP softball claimed a 10-6 victory over Sam Houston in an intense extra-inning game Saturday afternoon at Helen of Troy Field. UTEP dominated the field with five home runs, including a thrilling walk-off home run by Kenna Collett in the eighth inning, clinching the win for the Miners. 

UTEP improves to 21-13 (7-7 Conference USA) while Sam Houston drops to 15-24 (4-13 CUSA). 

UTEP started strong in the bottom of the first as Ajia Richard homered to center field, scoring Lexi Morales and Autumn Scott, followed by a bases-loaded walk by Bri Garcia for an additional run, 4-0. Richard continued his success in the bottom of the second with a solo homer down the left-field line, 5-0. In the bottom of the fourth, UTEP extended its lead with back-to-back home runs as Idalis Mendez homered to right field, bringing in Richard, while Halle Hogan also added a solo homer to left field. Sam Houston responded in the top of the fifth with a 2-run homer by Hebel, scoring Peno. In the top of the seventh, Sam Houston mounted a major comeback with six runs on four hits, including Herzinger's RBI single and Robison's bases-loaded walk, followed by Carter's double and Shaeffer's double, each bringing in two runs to tie the game, 8-8. UTEP sealed the game in the bottom of the eighth with Kenna Collett's 2-run homer to left field, scoring Hogan. 

Notables

• Zaylie Calderon earns her first win of the season (1-2).
• Ajia Richard’s two home runs tie the program record for individual home runs in a single game. 
• Halle Hogan went 5-for-5 at the plate, tying the program record for most hits in a single game. 
• UTEP's five home runs tie the program's second-best record for team home runs in a single game. 

ON DECK  
Game 3 is scheduled for Sunday, April 14, at 12 pm MT at Helen of Troy Field.