March 8, 2001

Box Score

2001 Speedline Invitational

Game #1 - Pool Play

Maryland 1, UIC 0

Tampa, Fla. - Maryland earned its first-ever win over UIC as they edged the Flames 1-0 to open pool play at the 2001 Speedline Invitational.

terrapin junior Amanda Bettker (2-1), who fanned six Flames and never let a runner advance past second base, was solid in the circle against UIC, allowing just a single hit in each of the first two innings en route to her second win of the season.

Not to be outdone, UIC freshman hurler Alycia Creese kept pace with Bettker, shutting down the Terrapins for four innings before they plated their lone run in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Annmarie Brown. Creese allowed just five hits in the game and struck out four as she fell to 6-5 on the season.

With the loss, UIC saw its four-game winning streak snapped as they are now 13-11 on the year. Maryland, which came into the contest 0-5 all-time versus the Flames, is now 9-7 this season.

Game #2 - Pool Play

Oklahoma State 1, UIC 0

Tampa, Fla. - UIC's bats remained dormant on Thursday as Oklahoma State dropped the Flames to 0-2 in pool play with a 1-0 victory at the Speedline Invitational.

The loss, the Flames second this season to the Cowgirls, marks the fifth time UIC has been shutout this year as their record falls to 13-12.

For the second-straight game, UIC recorded just two hits as OSU starter Tiffany Paper stymied the Flames, striking out 11 batters in the win.

Freshman Amanda Ritchie (0-2) lasted just 2/3 of an inning for the Flames, giving up one run on one hit while picking up her second loss of the year. Junior Maral Binnebose entered in relief and pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings, but UIC was unable to get the sticks going as they lost their second straight.

The rookie allowed just one run, an RBI single by Lauren Bay in the top of the first inning, but settled down to keep the Cowgirls (13-7) at Bay the rest of the way.

The Flames will continue pool play tomorrow afternoon as they take on Florida International (4:00 p.m.) and Central Michigan (6:00 p.m.).