EL PASO — Sam Houston managed to salvage a three-game Conference USA series by thumping UTEP 9-0 in six innings at Helen of Troy Softball Complex on Sunday.
The Bearkats (16-25) blew open a scoreless game with five runs in the fifth and four in the sixth to improve to 5-13 in CUSA play.
The Kats put some pressure on the Miners early as a sign of what was to come.
Tricia Yarotsky got a two-out blooper to fall in down the left field line, and
Julia Herzinger drew a walk in the first inning.
UTEP was able to get a strikeout to end the inning, however.
Starting pitcher
Amy Abke began the game by tossing 3 1/3 no hit innings for the Kats. The Miners finally got back-to-back hits with an out in the fourth, but Abke quickly slammed the door on the scoring threat.
Sam Houston finally snapped the scoreless streak when
Morgan Holliday led off the fifth with an infield single. A fielder's choice and a wild pitch drove a pair of runs across for a 2-0 lead.
Tricia Yarotsky then broke the game open with a two-run home run. An error brought in the final run of the inning for a 5-0 advantage.
The Kats added two insurance runs in the sixth. Hailey Mountain walked and crossed home plate on a double by
Elia Hebel, who in turn scored on an RBI single by Yarotsky.
The finishing touch that put the run rule into effect was a two-run single to center by
Haleigh Carter for a 9-0 lead.
Abke scattered four hits over seven innings to go along with four strikeouts to improve to 8-6 on the season.
The Bearkats return to action Tuesday when they travel to Houston Christian for a 5 p.m. contest.
