March 24, 2001
Box Score
2001 Buzz Classic
Al Bishop Softball Complex
Pool Play - Game #3
UIC 9, Tennessee-Martin 2
Marietta, Ga. - UIC scored five runs in the first inning and pounded out a season-high 14 hits as they rolled past Tennessee-Martin, 9-2, on Saturday in pool play at the 2001 Buzz Classic.
Every Flame starter tallied a hit as they improved to 21-16 on the year, moving five games above .500 for the first time this season.
Junior Edel Leyden (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) got UIC going early, taking Skyhawk starter Tracy Fryer deep with Jennifer Tiffany on base in the first inning to stake the Flames to a 2-0 lead. It was Leyden's fourth home run of the season. UIC kept the pressure on in the first with back-to-back doubles by Jacquelyne Vaca (3-for-3) and Stefanie Christoferson (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) putting the Flames up, 3-0. Freshman Amanda Rivera then capped the rally with a two-run home run - her fourth of the year - to left field for a 5-0 UIC lead.
Lefty Maral Binnebose, who improved to 4-3 on the year with the victory, took over from there as she controlled Tennessee-Martin, scattering five hits while allowing two unearned runs in seven innings of work.
The Flames did add to their lead later in the game on a RBI single from Rivera in the fifth inning and a two-run home run from Christoferson in the seventh. Christoferson's blast gave her a team-best five homers on the year.
Pool Play - Game #4
Coastal Carolina 4, UIC 3 (8 innings)
Marietta, Ga. - UIC couldn't hold on to a one-run lead in the seventh inning on Saturday night as Coastal Carolina came back to end the Flames' run at the 2001 Buzz Classic with a 4-3, eight-inning, victory.
UIC did not advance to bracket play in the tournament as they finished third in their pool with a 2-2 record and now sit at 21-17 on the season. Freshman Alycia Creese (10-8) picked up the loss in the circle for UIC, going the distance while surrendering 10 hits and four runs.
The loss spoiled a gritty comeback by the Flames as they trailed 1-0 with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning before plating two runs in the frame to take the lead.
Junior Edel Leyden tied the game in the sixth with a RBI double off the left field wall, then freshman Jacquelyne Vaca put UIC ahead with a single to center which plated Leyden.
The Flames, who were 18-0 this season when taking a lead into the seventh inning, couldn't seal the deal in the final frame. Coastal Carolina (8-10) leadoff hitter Tracy Kirsch opened the inning with a single and later scored on a single by Kristie Pulchinski to knot the game at 2-2.
UIC went down in order in its half of the seventh to send the contest into extra frames.
In the eighth, under international tie-breaker rules which start a runner at second base, things got off to a bad start for the Flames as Creese misfired on a throw to first on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Sarah Lockett. The ball rolled up the first-base line allowing Sara Thompson to score for the Chanticleers, giving them a 3-2 lead. Coastal Carolina would follow with two more hits in the inning and would take a 4-2 advantage into the bottom of the eighth.
The Flames would plate a run in their half of the frame on a controversial illegal pitch, but would eventually left the tying run in scoring position in their 4-3 loss.
Mike McGovern's crew now returns home to begin play against local foes. UIC will travel to Valparaiso, Ind., on Thursday, March 29, to take on the Crusaders in a double header at 4:00 p.m. The Flames will have their 2001 home opener on Friday, March 30, as they welcome Oakland to Flames Field at 4:00 p.m.
