Lynne Sepulveda knows what's coming this weekend for the UTEP softball team.
The Miners' sophomore back-up catcher, who was a star shortstop on Americas HS's 2022 state qualifying team that rates as perhaps the greatest high school program in El Paso history, will be one of four El Paso high school products at Helen of Troy Softball Complex this weekend when UTEP hosts rival New Mexico State in a three-game series.
Everyone on both rosters who has played in one of these games knows how big it is anytime the Miners and Aggies square off in anything. Sepulveda has known that for far longer than she's worn a UTEP uniform.
"Since I was a little girl I came to the games, especially NMSU," Sepulveda said. "I've been watching this rivalry since I was little. It gets crazy but I'm excited, the second year playing them."
This will be the second time for Sepulveda, her Americas and UTEP teammate Bri Garcia, as well as NMSU's superstar sophomore pitcher/utility player Desirae Spearman, a Hanks alum who was the Conference USA player of the year last year (and freshman of the year, obviously) and currently ranks fourth in the nation in hitting. NSMU won two of three in this series last year in Las Cruces.
This will be the first UTEP/NMSU meeting for the Aggies' second-leading hitter, first baseman Lauren Garcia from Montwood.
New Mexico State comes in as part of a three-way tie for second in CUSA with an 8-4 record (21-14 overall), behind league unbeaten Liberty (11-0). UTEP is 2-10, 12-19 after a string of recent close losses.
Sepulveda always hoped she would get to play in UTEP-NMSU games and now it's come true. As part of this city's most iconic high school softball team and season in 2022, Sepulveda and Bri Garcia are getting to build on their home-town heroics at the next level.
"It's awesome," Sepulveda said. "For the young girls who get to follow you, it's such a blessing. I came here with Bri from Americas and it's been an awesome experience.
"It's so cool, being able to see my family every weekend. That's very sweet."
Sepulveda is ...
