Sept. 19, 2001

Chicago, Ill. - UIC and Chicago softball fans will get a fall treat on Saturday, Sept. 22, as the city's four finest programs will square off for local bragging rights in the round-robin 'Battle in the Windy City' softball tournament at Flames Field.

UIC will host Horizon League foe Loyola, Conference USA's DePaul and Northwestern out of the Big 10 conference in the preseason event with the Flames and Wildcats opening the tournament at 9:00 a.m. UIC will then take on the Blue Demons at 1:00 p.m., before wrapping up the days action at 7:00 p.m. versus Loyola.

For the 2002 season, the Flames return seven starters to the field, including 2001 All-Great Lakes Region recipients Edel Leyden (Irvine, Calif.), Amanda Rivera (Redondo Beach, Calif.) and Jacque Vaca (Ontatio, Calif.). UIC went 46-25 last year, claiming the league tournament championship before advancing to the NCAA Region IV Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Flames also welcome six newcomers to the team, including California products Cameron Astiazaran and Sara Hernandez, along with four local players - Megan Boyle (Chatham-Glenwood HS), Leigh Farina (Naperville Central HS), Amy Peters (Sandburg HS) and Mary Beth Schuster (Hinsdale South HS).

Saturday's outing will also mark the debut of new UIC co-head coaches Sarah O'Malley-Fisher and Tom Gray. The two were assistants last season under Mike McGovern, who retired after 12 successful seasons last spring.

'Battle in the Windy City' Softball Tournament Schedule

9:00 a.m. - Northwestern vs. UIC

11:00 a.m. - Northwestern vs. Loyola

1:00 p.m. - DePaul vs. UIC

3:00 p.m. - DePaul vs. Northwestern

5:00 p.m. - Loyola vs. DePaul

7:00 p.m. - Loyola vs. UIC

(All Games will be held at Flames Field located behind UIC's physical education building on 901 W. Roosevelt Rd., in Chicago.)