Western Kentucky’s softball team dropped a 5-4 decision in the series opener against UTEP after walk-off single by the Miners on Friday in El Paso, Texas.

With the loss, the Hilltoppers drop to 14-12 overall, and 1-5 in Conference USA play.

Neither side scored through two and a half innings until UTEP (11-15, 1-6 CUSA) pushed across two runs with a double in the home half of the third inning.

On the second pitch of her at bat in the top of the fourth inning, WKU freshman outfielder Kennedy Stinson leveled the score at two each with a home run to left center.

Shortly after Stinson’s home run, sophomore outfielder Kendle White added a third run to the board with a sacrifice fly.

Up 3-2 over UTEP in the top of the fifth, Stinson earned her third RBI of the game with a single to second base to increase WKU’s lead to two and push the score to 4-2.

A triple and single from UTEP allowed two runs to score in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at 4-all going into the seventh. UTEP walked the game off with a single up the middle.

Stinson led WKU in RBIs with three. The home run was Stinson’s second this season.

Erica Houge led WKU’s pitching staff with four strikeouts.

The Hilltoppers will take on UTEP again in the second game of the series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.