SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The UIC softball team (7-4) could not find the hits it needed Friday as it suffered a pair of shutout losses to South Dakota (4-5), 1-0, and Weber State (2-7-1), 4-0, on the opening day of the Santa Clara Invitational at the SCU Softball Stadium.
 
The Flames were limited in their offensive production as it came away with a combined 13 hits. Lexi Watts owned a team-high three on the day, followed by Tiana Mack-Miller, Jasmine Willis and Alice Fitzpatrick with two each. Across the two games, 13 players were left on base.
 
UIC will look to turn it around Saturday as it is set to face Creighton at 6:30 p.m. CT and host Santa Clara at 9 p.m.
 
South Dakota 1, UIC 0
 
For the third time this season, UIC was edged in a one-run decision as it could not push its runners across the plate. The Flames scattered seven runs, led by Watts and Mack-Miller with two each, while they left eight runners on base.
 
Karissa Frazier threw her fourth complete game of the season and held South Dakota to just four hits and two walks while she struck out one.
 
After leaving four runners on base across the first three innings, UIC made a push to score the first run in the top of the fourth as Fitzpatrick led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Savannah Soppet and made it to third on a bunt single from Taylor Cairns. But a fly ball to center was caught with the Coyotes turning the double play.
 
South Dakota came out in the bottom half of the inning to take the 1-0 lead as a double, sacrifice bunt and fielder's choice scored the first run of the game.
 
In its last chance at the plate, Claire Crane drew a walk with two outs and Mack-Miller followed with a single to right that allowed both runners to move up a base but both were left to end the game.
 
Weber State 4, UIC 0
 
It was a repeat occurrence for the Flames in game two as they were limited in opportunities to answer runs scored by Weber State. Six hits were established with Willis tabbing two, while Crane went 1-for-1 with one walk.
 
Elaine Heflin went the complete seven innings and despite earning her first runs of the season, she struck out four and walked two while giving up eight hits.
 
The Wildcats put up the first run in the top of the third after loading the bases with two singles and a UIC error and advancing all runners with a sacrifice fly.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Watts and Willis led off with a pair of back-to-back singles, but a double play and a strikeout would leave one on base.
 
Weber State took the 4-0 lead in the top of the sixth as the leadoff batter doubled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and then later scored on a double steal. A single then put runners at the corners and an infield single scored the second run. The final run came in off a play that featured a single and UIC error.
 
The final attempt came in the bottom of the seventh for the Flames and Fitzpatrick singled with one out, but a double play ended the game.