May 2, 2002
Box Score
Chicago, Ill. - The UIC softball team had one of those days it would like to forget on Thursday as Northwestern snapped the Flames' 11-game winning streak by taking both games of a twilight doubleheader at Flames Field.
The Wildcats (24-16-1) rolled to a 6-0 triumph in the opener, before run-ruling UIC (34-20), 13-4, in five innings in the nightcap.
In game one, Northwestern's Lauren Schwendimann proved to be a one-woman wrecking crew in leading her team to victory.
The junior tossed a four-hit shutout in the circle, fanning 12 batters while allowing just one Flame runner reach second base. Schwendimann then supplied the knockout blow at the plate with a grand slam off UIC starter Alison Aguilar in the top of the fifth inning that turned a tight 2-0 contest into a 6-0 NU cushion.
The Wildcats scored their first two runs in the third inning on a two-out, two-run single by Gretchen Barnes (3-for-6, 5 RBI).
Aguilar, who allowed four earned runs on 10 hits, picked up her first loss in her last seven outings, dropping to 17-9 on the year. Schwendimann moved to 16-5 with the win.
Things didn't get any better for the Flames in the second game as Northwestern scored two in the second, two in third, and four in the fourth, for an 8-0 lead. UIC starter Alycia Creese was the victim of the NU onslaught, lasting 3 1/3 innings before being relieved by Amanda Ritchie.
UIC would finally get its first tally of the day in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run by junior Emily Hallmann. It was her career-best sixth of the year.
The Wildcats weren't done swinging the bats, though, posting five more runs in the fifth to take a commanding 13-1 lead. Northwestern pounded out six hits in the frame, including the first career base-knocks for Jenny Glonke and Brie Brown.
The Flames tried to claw back in the bottom of the frame on a RBI double by Amanda Rivera and a two-run single by Amber Stachura, but it was not enough to avoid the 13-4, run-rule decision.
Northwestern's Brie Brown (9-11) picked up the win in game two while Creese, who surrender eight runs on seven hits was tagged with loss, dropping to 12-5 on the year.
UIC will have to bounce back quickly as they are back in action on Saturday, May 4, versus Loyola at Flames Field in a pivotal Horizon League doubleheader at 1:00 p.m.
