Feb. 16, 2009

EL PASO, Texas - UTEP softball's Chelsea Troupe was named Conference USA's Hitter of the Week announced league officials Monday. This is the first honor for the freshman utility.

Named to the Troy Cox Classic All-Tournament team, Chelsea Troupe hit a team-high nine hits and registered a .529 (9-for-17) batting average. She was the team leader in runs (six), doubles (three) and RBI (six) to lead the Miners to a 3-2 weekend. She slugged a team-high 1.059 and was 3-for-3 in stolen bases, drew two walks and struck out just twice in 17 at bats.

Troupe batted .667 in UTEP's invitational opener against I-10 rival New Mexico State, while belting her second home run of her career. Against St. Mary's, she knocked her third career long ball, good for three runs. In total, the freshman was responsible for four of the Miners' nine runs in the game, driving in a team-high four RBI. The freshman continued batting .455 and .429 against Central Michigan and Eastern Illinois, respectively. She scored UTEP's only run against Eastern Michigan.

In UTEP's final game of the classic against Central Michigan, Troupe was 3-for-3 against the Chippewas and registered a run, a double and drew a free pass to first.

Defensively, Troupe saw action at catcher and left field where she recorded 12 putouts and three assists in the outfield.

UTEP opens its 2009 home slate on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in a doubleheader series against Northern Colorado. The Miners will host the UTEP Softball Invitational Feb. 19-22.