March 17, 2006
Box Score
Temple, Terrace, Fl. - The UIC softball team was dropped by Fordham in its opening contest at the USF Speedline Classic on Friday, March 17th, 13-5. In the second game of doubleheader, the Flames topped Dartmouth, 4-0, to grab a 1-1 record on the day. UIC moves to 6-16 on the season and looks to pick up its second consecutive win over Buffalo on Saturday, March 18th at 12:00 pm.
Game One: On four hits in the bottom of the first inning, Fordham struck first with four runs to take the early lead in game. With two outs in the third and the bases loaded, sophomore Lauren Brennan hit an RBI triple between first base and left field to trail the Rams by one run (4-3).
Answering in the fourth, Fordham's Allison Twarowski belted a two-run homer to give the Rams a three-run cushion, followed by five more in the sixth to take an 11-3 advantage.
UIC's Brittany Dixon scored on a wild pitch after reaching on a single to left field. Senior Michelle Miller hit an RBI single, sending Joyce Cathey across the plate to trail Fordham, 11-5 in the sixth.
Adding two runs and holding the Flames in the bottom of the seventh, the Rams capture the 13-5 victory. Fordham's Juanita Gonzalez picks up the win on the mound and UIC's Brittany McIntyre moves to 1-6 on the season.
Game Two: Scoreless in the bottom of second inning with the bases loaded, sophomore Brittany Dixon picked up an RBI on an error by Dartmouth's shortstop to give UIC a 1-0 lead.
Senior Nikki Shepard kicked off the third inning with a double to centerfield. Nicole Robinson then ripped a single between the third baseman and the shortstop, but Dartmouth ended the inning after Lauren Brennan popped up to the second baseman.
With Melissa Marinacci on first, freshman Sarah Clynes drilled her first home run of her UIC career to make the score 3-0, closing out the fourth inning.
Holding the Big Green in the fifth, Nikki Rogers reached on a double to left field. Lauren Brennan moved Rogers to third base, followed by an RBI by Marinacci to send Rogers home for the 4-0 lead.
Freshman Kelly Cross picks up the win and moves to 3-5 on the season with 14 strikeouts in the 4-0 win.
