Sept. 26, 2004

Chicago, Ill. - It's always nice to make a good first impression.

University of Illinois at Chicago freshman outfielder Brittany Dixon put her best foot forward in her debut, as the Orland Park, Ill., native went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored to help the host Flames to the 7-4 victory over cross-town rival, Loyola, at Flames Field on Sunday afternoon.

The top of the order did the most damage for the Flames as Dixon, Nicole Shepard and Sara Hernandez went a combined 7-for-12 with five runs scored and five RBI. Shepard (triple) tallied three hits and two runs scored, while Hernandez (double) had two hits, two RBI and a run scored.

UIC freshman hurler Mercedes Lovato scattered 10 hits and struck out two batters to earn the complete-game victory for the Flames. Loyola starter Mia Pangere was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, in two innings of work.

The trio of Allison Scanlin, Keilah Williams and Raven Gengler led Loyola offensively, picking up seven of the Ramblers' 10 hits. Gengler tallied three hits, while Williams (2 runs) and Scanlin (2 RBI) picked up two base-knocks.