March 22, 2003

Box Score

Santa Clara, Calif.- The UIC softball team split a doubleheader with host Santa Clara on Saturday afternoon, dropping a heartbreaker 1-0 in the opener, before the Flames rallied to take game two 8-3 at Marselli Park.

With the split, UIC now sits at 7-19 on the year, having won three of its last four games.

In game one, rookie Brittany McIntyre had another strong showing in the circle, but was a tough-luck loser in the 1-0 decision. McIntyre (4-8) allowed just two hits on the day, but one was all the Broncos would need as Lacey Smale led off the second inning with a home run.

Jaime Forman-Lau, who shutout the Flames earlier this season, continued her dominance over the UIC lineup, allowing just two hits and fanning 11 batters en route to her ninth win of the season.

Game two was a different story for the Flames as they pounded out 12 hits in an 8-3 triumph.

Amanda Rivera led the way for UIC, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI while freshman Nicole Shepard went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI of her own.

Junior Alycia Creese, who entered in relief of starter Alison Aguilar, tossed four innings to pick up her first win of the season.

Rivera staked the Flames to an early lead. launching a two-run homer in the first inning. It was her third home run of the season.

The Broncos rallied back to tie the game in the third inning, but UIC finally broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning. The Flames tallied six hits in the frame, all singles, with Michelle Miller, Sara Hernandez, McIntyre, Shepard, and Meghan Gallagher all driving in runs in the rally.

The Flames will wrap up their California road trip tomorrow afternoon as they travel to take on Stanford in a doubleheader at 2:00 p.m.