EL PASO, Texas – It took extra innings and some drama but Louisiana Tech got the El Paso monkey off its back as the Lady Techsters defeated UTEP 9-8 in eight innings at Helen of Troy Softball Complex to open Conference USA action Friday.

It snapped a six-game losing streak to the Miners in El Paso.

Tech (7-15, 1-0 C-USA) had to rally from a three-run deficit and then had to overcome some untimely errors and base running mistakes to pick up the victory.

Audrey Pickett (5-6) got the start and pitched 6.2 innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out nine batters in the win. Hannah Koenig tossed 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks.

Tech recorded a season-high 15 hits in the game, including multi-hit performances from Bayli Simon (3-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Zoe Hicks (2-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Marilyn Rizzato (2-4, 2 RBI), Mary Terral (2-5), Madie Green (2-3, HR, run, RBI) and Kailey Anderson (2-4, run).

Tech trailed 2-0 early before Green cranked her third home run of the season, a solo shot deep over the left field wall. Trailing 3-1 with two outs in the top of the fifth inning, Rizzato singled through the left side to plate two runs and tie the game at 3-3.

After UTEP answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to lead 6-3, Tech responded with 5 runs on six hits in the top of the sixth inning. Hicks had an RBI single followed by back-to-back 2-run doubles by Simon and Lindsay Edwards giving Tech an 8-6 lead.

UTEP tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on an RBI ground out and then a Tech fielding error that could have ended the game.

The Techsters responded in the top of the eighth as Hicks scored the go-ahead run on a Rizzato double to straight away centerfield.

UTEP tried to rally once again in the bottom of the eight, loading the bases with two outs. However, Pickett struck out the UTEP batter looking for the final out of the game.

The two teams will play the second game of the series Saturday at 5 p.m. CT.