Courtney Ware could not chase down Nebraska's Taylor Edwards' home run in the first game of the UTEP-Nebraksa doubleheader Tuesday afternoon. UTEP lost both games,8-0 and 16-0. (Image: Jeff Taylor)

EL PASO, Texas – For all the positive momentum that had been generated over the weekend with wins over Marist, Tuesday afternoon was the complete opposite as UTEP dropped the midday doubleheader to Nebraska, 8-0 in the early game and 16-0 in the second game.

At first, the Miners held their own against the No. 14 ranked team in the nation. Courtney Auger started in the circle for UTEP and held the Huskers to only three runs through five innings of play. It seemed as if the game would come down to which team would be able to get the bats going to finish the game out and UTEP had a chance.

Then Nebraska’s bats woke up.

Taylor Edwards stretched a 3-0 lead further as she lined a pitch over the wall in left center for a two-run home run. Tatum Edwards followed three batters later and smashed a three-run homer making the score 8-0.

UTEP’s bats stayed silent in the bottom of the 6^th, and for the most part the entire game as they were held to only two hits. Nebraska’s ace pitcher Ashley Hagemann earned 18th win on the season as she struck out 12 Miners.

Sadly, the negative momentum continued into the second game for UTEP and Nebraska’s bats continued to manhandle Miner pitching. Freshman Megan Atchison started the second game, but only lasted two and a third innings giving up seven runs. Sophomore Joanna Krienitz returned to the circle in relief after missing games this past weekend. Things did not go well for her either as she gave up six runs in one and two-thirds innings.

As if there wasn’t enough salt in UTEP’s wounds, Nebraska hitters tore apart freshman Laura Ramos for three home runs in the fifth inning. Miner pitchers gave up a total of 16 runs on 15 hits in the second game.

UTEP hitters were silenced once again in the second game as Nebraska’s Tatum Edwards and Haley Workman allowed only four hits.

To put it simply, UTEP looked shell-shocked the entire afternoon as Nebraska looked like the clearly dominant team on the field.

“That’s definitely the best team we’ve played all year,” junior Chelsea Troupe said. “I think we came out, not really knowing what to expect and they got to us. They have really good pitching. We were putting the bats on the ball in the first game, but in the second game we couldn’t link them together.”

The Miners will have to forget Tuesday’s games quickly as they begin to prepare for their next opponent Saturday.

“Frustration comes with any loss, but we have to put this behind us and be ready for Memphis on Saturday,” Troupe said.

UTEP will host Memphis this weekend as they return to Conference USA play at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex for a three-game set. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled at 2 pm.