Feb. 10, 2006

Box Score

Las Vegas, Nev. - The UIC softball team opened its 2006 season with two games at the Alexis Resort Classic hosted by UNLV on February 10th. UIC challenged host UNLV in game one and then 2006 Big West Preseason #1 pick Long Beach State to wrap up day one of the three-day tournament.

Game One - UIC vs. UNLV

UIC dropped its season opener versus UNLV in a heartbreaking 10-7 loss in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Sophomores Nicole Robinson and Nikki Rogers kicked things off, belting two singles to take a 2-0 lead, but UNLV responded with three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Trailing 6-4 after five, UIC battled back to within one run on a homer from senior Joyce Cathey. It was her second home run of the day.

After the Flames held the Lady Rebels in the bottom of the sixth, UIC stormed ahead with two runs in the top of the seventh to take a 7-6 lead.

UNLV would dash the Flames' hopes of a season-opening victory, though, on a walk-off grand slam off the bat of Rosa Ordaz with one out in the bottom of the frame.

Freshman pitcher Kelly Cross made her UIC debut and moved to 0-1 on the season and UNLV's Christie Robinson (2-0) earned the win for the Lady Rebels.

Game Two - Long Beach State vs. UIC

In game two, Long Beach State dropped the Flames, 4-0. Scoreless until the top of the third inning, LBSU's Michelle Turner hit an RBI double to centerfield to give the Beach a one-run advantage.

In the top of the fifth, LBSU extended its lead on an RBI single, followed by a two-run homer by Turner.

Long Beach State picked up the 4-0 win, moving the Flames to 0-2 on the season.

With the loss, Flames pitcher Sarah Clynes moved to 0-1 overall and LBSU pitcher Michelle Miller (1-0) picked up the win, allowing only one hit on the night.

The Flames play Southern Utah on Saturday, February 11th at 7 pm, followed by a match-up versus #14 Washington.

To watch the games this weekend on Gametracker, go to www.unlvrebels.com and click on Alexis Resort Classic for the tournament schedule.