March 16, 2000
Box Score
Clearwater, Fla. - Even with All-American pitcher Samantha Iuli sidelined with an ankle injury, the UIC softball team cruised past Penn, 10-2, to open the Clearwater Recreation Softball Tournament with a 2-0 record.
The Flames actually trailed 2-0 after the Quakers first at bat as Penn knocked out three hits in the inning off pitcher Maral Binnebose. UIC surged back in the bottom half of the inning, though, putting a five-spot on the board.
Edel Leyden and Jennifer Tiffany opened the frame with walks. Stephanie Christoferson then loaded the bases with a single. Julie Bumgardner tied the score at 2-2 with a single that scored Leyden and Tiffany. Gina Arnold then cleared the bases with a three-run homer to deep left field to put the Flames up 5-2. It was Arnold's second home run of the season.
With a 5-2 lead, Binnebose settled down and allowed just one hit the rest of the game en route to picking up her second win of the season.
Arnold was not done, though, as she knocked in two more in the second inning with a double into the gap to give to give her five RBIs on the afternoon. All in all, she went 4-for-6 with six RBIs in UIC's two games.
Amber Stachura notched her second home run of the season in the third inning with a solo blast to left field.
Leyden ended the game early as her RBI single in the bottom of the fifth gave the Flames the eight-run advantage to reach the slaughter rule.
UIC continues on in the Clearwater Recreation Tournament tomorrow, taking on Tennessee Tech at 1:00 p.m. and Western Kentucky at 3:00 p.m. EST. Iuli is doubtful for tomorrow's action.
