Courtney Auger pitched well for the Miners but got a no-decision after the Miners lost to I-10 rivals NMSU 8-6 in the opening game of the 2011 UTEP Invitation Thursday afternoon. (Image: Ivan Pierre Aguirre)

EL PASO, Texas – No matter what sport it is, the Battle of I-10 is always a fierce contest and Thursday’s softball game was no different. Unfortunately for the Miners, they came out on the short end of the stick.

After getting an early lead, untimely errors led to UTEP (4-6) falling short against NMSU (11-2) and eventually losing 8-6 in the opening game of the 2011 UTEP Invitational.

Going into the sixth inning, UTEP maintained at least a one run lead throughout the contest.

After giving up a run to the Aggies in the top of the first inning, the Miners took the lead in the bottom half thanks to a grand slam from senior captain Camille Carrera. The shot came on an 0-2 count before the ball sailed out of the park. Both teams would give up two runs in the following innings, but UTEP led 6-3 after the fifth.

Then the game got away from UTEP. Megan Atchison relieved Miner starter Courtney Auger, who pitched five innings, after giving up a two-run home to NMSU freshman Valerie Swedberg. The Aggie onslaught continued after the Miners had two errors in the inning and gave up a total of five runs and the lead.

UTEP tried to rally back in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Miners were able to load the bases with back-to-back singles from Chelsea Troupe and Camille Carrera with Courtney Ware reaching base on an error. Freshman Camille Herrera ended the game with a ground out.

“We gave it away,” said co-head coach James Rodriguez. “Walks and errors; we had the lead and you just can’t put people on base and not expect (NMSU) to score. It’s kinda what’s killed us so far.”

Rodriguez tried to put together an effective lineup, but has had to deal with a number of injuries that have plagued the team this season. Third baseman Ashley Collazo saw some time on the field Thursday, but her play was limited due to a torn rotator cuff in her throwing arm. Kellen Frye and Kayla Oranger did not see the field again due either and in their place Rodriguez has had to play true freshmen.

“Attitude and injuries hurt a team and right now we’re pretty injured,” Rodriguez said. “We’re pretty banged up and we have some infielders who are sitting on the bench and the (players) we have out there are doing a good job, but they’ve been thrown into the fire right away.

Rodriguez made no excuses for the injuries as a reason for the team losing and neither did senior Kia Moore. The right fielder finished the day with two hits and a run scored but felt the game got away from the Miners.

“I felt like we were right there,” Moore said. “I definitely think we had that game and we just let it slip right out of our hands and that’s what hurts the most. We were right there but we had a couple errors.”

UTEP will look to bounce back and try and work towards the .500 mark when they play two games Friday. The first game will be against Texas State at 2 pm and the second game against North Dakota at 6:30 pm in the evening. The UTEP Invitational continues through Sunday.