The idea of playing one of college softball's best-ever programs often looks better on paper than it does on a field.
UTEP, at least, got a long look at the direction it wants to head in a season-opening 29-0, five-inning loss to No. 4 Oklahoma on Thursday to kick off the Miners Invitational.
The Sooners, a four-time national champion that looked the part in a dominating opener, had five home runs in their first trip through the order, part of a 13-run first inning that got their season off to an auspicious start at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex.