April 15, 2003
Box Score
Chicago, Ill. - It had the makings of an epic ending.
University of Illinois at Chicago pitcher Alycia Creese stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded, two outs and the Flames trailing Northwestern by one run.
Northwestern reliever Courtnay Foster, however, quickly squashed any heroic thoughts that Creese might have had, as she induced her counterpart into a game-ending groundout to give the Wildcats the 3-2 non-conference victory over host UIC at Flames Field on Tuesday evening.
With the victory, Northwestern improves to 25-12 on the season, while the Flames fall to 14-29 overall.
Junior righthander Alison Aguilar (7-13) was tagged with the loss as she allowed two runs and four hits in three innings of work, while striking out five batters. Northwestern hurler Brie Brown went the distance for the Wildcats, allowing two runs while striking out eight batters. Foster tossed 2/3 of an inning to pick up her third save of the season.
Northwestern right fielder Erin Mobley went 3-for-4 to lead the Wildcats offensively, while UIC designated hitter Amanda Rivera collected a pair of hits for the Flames.
Northwestern got on the board first in the top of the third inning as Wildcats' second baseman Carrie Leto (single), left fielder Brett Nakabayashi (single) and Mobley (error) loaded the bases for designated hitter Cindy Muran.
Muran roped a single that plated both Leto and Nakabayashi to put the Wildcats ahead, 2-0.
UIC answered in the bottom half of the frame as pinch runner Andrea Milner scored from third base on a fielders choice by sophomore center fielder Cameron Astiazaran to cut Northwestern's lead in half at 2-1.
Northwestern added an insurance run in the top of the fourth inning as center fielder Jessie Welnitz roped a single and advanced to second on a stolen base. Leto stepped to the plated and connected for a RBI double to extend the Wildcats' lead to 3-1.
The Flames responded in the bottom of the fifth inning as Astiazaran connected for a one-out single down the right field line and advanced to second base on a ground out by outfielder Michelle Miller.
Sophomore third baseman Sara Hernandez stepped to the plate and drove in Astiazaran with a RBI single up the middle to cut the lead to 3-2.
UIC shortstop Joyce Cathey began the rally for the Flames in the bottom of the seventh inning as she drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Astiazaran.
Outfielder Michelle Miller sent a ground ball to third base, but Northwestern third baseman Kristen Amegin's throw sailed over first baseman Alyson Schulz's head to put runners at first and second with one out.
Foster came into the game and got Hernandez to pop out to second base to give the Flames two outs. Foster then plunked Rivera to load the bases for Creese and retired her to end the game.
UIC will be back in action on Thursday evening, as they will host the Wisconsin Badgers at 5:30 p.m. at Flames Field.
