Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The sixth-seeded UIC softball team's season came to an end on Thursday night with a 5-2 loss to #5 Tennessee-Chattanooga in the first elimination game of the 2001 NCAA Region IV Championships at the Alabama Softball Complex.
The loss also spelled the end of a career for retiring Flames' Head Coach Mike McGovern, who finishes his 12-year softball coaching tenure with a record of 583-227-1.
"It's hard to summarize things," McGovern said following the game. "These kids have done everything I have asked of them. If I went down right now and asked them to run through a wall for me, they would ask which one. Now, I guess, I'll have plenty of time on my kayak to have flashbacks about all the positive things I've experienced (as coach) and all the great kids who've done so much for this program."
Lady Mocs starter Beth Alexander overcame some first inning troubles to pick up the victory on Thursday night. The Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year, who improved to 24-7 on the season, allowed one run on three hits in the opening frame, then set down 14 of the next 15 batters she faced before being removed after surrendering a solo home run to UIC junior Edel Leyden in the sixth inning. Tayla Trudell came on to close things out for the Lady Mocs, tabbing her third save of the year.
UIC rookie Alycia Creese, who lasted just 2 2/3 innings while giving up two runs on six hits, was pegged with the loss and wrapped up her freshman campaign with a 24-10 slate.
The Flames seemed to be dialed in early on as they loaded the bases with one out off Alexander, then tallied their first run on a RBI single by freshman Amanda Rivera. That would be all UIC would get, though, as Jacquelyne Vaca went down looking before Amber Stachura was robbed of extra bases on a nice running catch by UTC rightfielder Teri Herbert.
In the top of the second inning, Herbert led off with a single, then after Jolene Martin sacrificed her to second, Jaci Welsh golfed one over the leftfield wall, just tucking it around the foul pole to give the Lady Mocs a 2-1 advantage.
That would be the score until the top of the fourth when UTC added to its lead on a two-run double to rightfield by Southern Conference Player of the Year Angela Brewer, who went 4-for-4 in the contest.
UIC centerfielder Leyden would trim the Lady Mocs advantage in the sixth, leading off the frame with a solo home run to cut the deficit to 4-2. It was her sixth homer of the season.
UTC would add an insurance run in the top of the seventh, though, on a RBI single by Herbert, which proved to be the final tally of the game.
The Flames finish their season with an impressive record of 46-25, but the team must now say goodbye to graduating seniors Abby Booth, Molly Freeman, Melissa Garvey and Stefanie Christoferson.
