Feb. 6, 2008

EL PASO, Texas - Not only did UTEP end the 2007 campaign ranked nationally in six offensive categories, including top-10 finishes in doubles per game (0.98) and scoring (six runs per game), but the Miners secured their first winning season with a 28-23 (.549) mark. With eight seniors returning, three All-Conference players and a high-powered offense, the Miners are poised to achieve their next goal - securing a 30-win season.

The Orange and Blue will kick-off its 2008 campaign on the road at Stephen F. Austin on Feb. 8. After a one-year absence, the Miners will return to Las Vegas, Nev. to participate in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic, an elite tournament featuring some the nation's top programs.

Highlighting the schedule is a home series against defending NCAA champion, Arizona. The Miners open their conference slate at home on March 8 against UAB.

INFIELD
The Miners return All-Conference selection Simone Holland alongside Amber Bennett, Jennifer Davis and newcomer Mariann Webb.

Holland, UTEP's all-time home run leader, batted .329 in 2007. She blasted eight long balls, including two grand slams. The first baseman recorded 249 putouts with just seven errors to field .974 on the season.

Bennett ended 2007 ranked nationally in three statistical categories - walks per game, runs per game and hit-by-pitches per game. She batted .345 to rank second on the team while leading UTEP in several categories including runs, RBI, home runs and walks.

Rounding out the infield is letterwinner Kaitlyn Abdalla, Jennifer Davis and newcomer Mariann Webb. Look for them to fill in at first base, shortstop and second base. Abdalla saw action in 15 games last year and posted a .200 batting average.

OUTFIELD
Second team All-Conference USA selection Ashley Ellis returns to the outfield, as well as Ashley Perez, Jennifer Stalter, Megan Whiteaker and Andi Zolton.

Ellis ended her freshman campaign leading the Miners in batting average at .348. She connected for 54 hits to average 1.06 per game and blasted five home runs, including two grand slams.

Zolton played in all 51 games for the Miners, starting in centerfield. She connected for 27 hits, including two doubles, and registered nine RBI. Stalter batted .206 with 24 runs on 37 hits, seven doubles, six home runs and 32 RBI. Whiteaker notched 14 runs on 14 hits with two doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI while Perez had 13 runs on 17 hits with four doubles and eight RBI.

CATCHERS
The Miners return just one letterwinner behind the plate - Rachel Schaeffer - and welcome freshman Camilla Carrera and junior transfer Shea Lodes to add depth to the position.

Schaeffer led the Miners in putouts with 295 and had 33 assists while committing just three errors for a fielding percentage of .991. She caught 12 runners stealing in 2007 to rate first on the team and fourth in the league. She picked off five runners, the most by any UTEP player in school history.

A transfer from Tallahassee Community College, Lodes was named to the 2007 Easton All-American team while earning Louisville Slugger/NFCA NJCAA Division I All South Region honors. She batted .354 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI and helped the Eagles to a third place finish in the Panhandle Conference.

Carrerra was a second team all-region selection at Mountain Pointe High School in Arizona.

PITCHING STAFF
The Miners return all-freshman honoree Stacie Townsend to the circle along with seniors Nichole Tunget and Renee DiPuccio and letterwinners Kelly Curran and Kandice Henry. New to the staff is UTEP's first-ever left handed pitcher, El Paso native Claudia Oliva.

Townsend was named Conference USA Hitter of the Week on March 19 after leading the Miners past fifth-ranked Arizona State at the plate and in the circle. Starting in all 51 games for the Miners either in the circle or in the field, Townsend connected for 45 hits including 11 doubles and five home runs. In the circle, Townsend posted nine wins, the most by any freshman in school history.

Tunget also recorded nine wins in the circle. She started 17 games with 23 total appearances. She fanned 78 batters and secured four saves, the most by a UTEP pitcher.

DiPuccio retired 48 batters in 39.1 innings in 17 appearances for UTEP. Curran won seven games and tossed 74.1 innings with 66 strikeouts and Henry was utilized mostly as a relief pitcher with eight appearances. Oliva, UTEP's only newcomer to the staff, was a three-time all-city selection while leading Eastwood to the Class 5A area title for the first time since the 1998 season.