March 29, 2001

Box Score

Game #1

UIC 3, Valparaiso 0

Valparaiso, Ind. - UIC freshman hurler Alycia Creese notched her second shutout of the season on Thursday as the Flames downed Valparaiso 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader at Kirchoff Field.

Creese was in control the whole way, pitching seven strong innings while allowing just one hit and striking out six. The rookie is now a team-best 11-8 on the season.

"Alycia had a terrific outing this afternoon," commented UIC head coach Mike McGovern. "It was also nice to see Stef (Christoferson) get some hits and get her stick going."

The Flames got the only run they would need in the top of the second inning as junior Amber Stachura, who continues to swing a hot bat, laced a double into the right-center field gap that scored Stefanie Christoferson, who led off the inning with a single.

Christoferson set her teammates up all game going 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored.

UIC would add two insurance runs in the fourth as with two on and two outs a ground ball off the bat of Jennifer Tiffany took an awkward hop over the head of the shortstop for a two-run single.

"Tiff had a hard shot and it took a tough hop," remarked McGovern. "Sometimes, though, when you just hit the ball hard good things happen."

With the win, the Flames improve to 22-17 on the season.

Game #2

UIC 3, Valparaiso 2

Valparaiso, Ind. - UIC freshman Alison Aguilar pitched six hitless innings in relief and sophomore Emily Hallmann came through with a clutch home run in the seventh as the Flames capped a twin-bill sweep of Valparasio with a 3-2 comeback victory at Kirchoff Field on Thursday.

The win moves UIC to 23-17 on the year, putting them six games above .500 for the first time in 2001.

"We've been down all year and comeback, so this team has the confidence in themselves to do it," stated UIC head coach Mike McGovern after the game. "Hallmann came through with a dramatic home run, Aly pitched no-hit ball and every position line in the order got on base. Hey, anytime you go into someone else back yard, in cold conditions, and come home with two, it's good."

Things looked bleak for the Flames early on in game two, though, as Tricia Speziale gave the Crusaders a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with a two-run home run to left field off UIC starter Maral Binnebose.

McGovern quickly went to the bullpen, calling upon Aguilar to hold the Crusaders at bay. The rookie responded, tossing a near perfect six innings. Aguilar did not allow a hit and struck out a season-high six while walking just one.

UIC began its comeback in the top of the fourth inning as freshman third baseman Amanda Ritchie dropped a two-out single into centerfield that scored Amber Stachura from second to pull the Flames to within a run, 2-1. UIC would tie the game an inning later as Stefanie Christoferson roped a two-out double just inside the third base bag to score Jennifer Tiffany, who had led of the inning with a single.

The score would remain knotted at 2-2 until the top of the seventh when leadoff hitter Emily Hallman took Valpo starter Danni Barrall's first offering over the center field wall for her second home run of the season.

Aguilar would set down the Crusaders in order in the bottom of the frame as she picked up the win to improve to 6-2 on the season.

The Flames are back in action tomorrow (March 30) afternoon as they open their 2001 home schedule with a doubleheader versus Oakland at Flames Field at 4:00 p.m.