March 19, 2006
Box Score
Temple Terrace, Fl. - A three-run homer by Nicole Robinson in the top of the sixth inning, helped the UIC softball team to a 3-1 win over Troy to advance the Flames to the championship contest in the consolation bracket. After Canisius topped Purdue earlier today in extra innings on a two-run homer, UIC heated up the bats to capture the consolation bracket trophy with an 8-2 victory. With the wins on Sunday, the Flames move to 9-17 heading into regular-season action this week.
Game Five: UIC 3, Troy 1 Second baseman Nicole Robinson led the Flames versus the Trojans to a spot in the consolation bracket championship game Sunday morning. The sophomore went 3-for-3 for the Flames with a single, double and a three-run home run.
Scoreless after five innings, senior Michelle Miller ripped a double into centerfield, followed by a single down the first base line by shortstop Joyce Cathey. With two hits already on the morning, Robinson drilled a three-run homer over the left field fence to give the Flames a 3-0 advantage. It was her first home run on the season.
Troy's Caurie Miller answered for the Trojans with a lead-off home run in the bottom of the sixth to cut UIC's lead to two runs.
Freshman pitcher Sarah Clynes, who fanned seven on the day, would not allow Troy any closer, picking up the win to move to 4-3 this season.
Game Six (Consolation Bracket Championship Game): UIC 8, Canisius 2 Freshman Kelly Cross came out strong for the Flames in the circle versus Canisius on Sunday with three straight strikeouts in the bottom of the first inning.
Senior Joyce Cathey heated things up for the Flames on offense in the top of the second with a single in the gap between left and centerfield, followed by a steal on the next pitch to advance to second. The Flames grabbed the 1-0 advantage after the senior crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Nikki Rogers.
On an RBI single to left field, senior Nikki Shepard extended the Flames lead to 2-0, sending Brittany Dixon home.
With two on in the fourth, Dixon hit an RBI double into the gap between left and centerfield to make the score 3-0 with only one out. Sarah Clynes then ripped an RBI single down the left field line to give UIC a five-run cushion.
Following an RBI single by catcher Jess Martin, Canisius trailed the Flames 5-1 after five innings.
Clynes picked up her second homer of the tournament in the sixth for a 7-1 lead. Canisius's Katie Miranto answered with a solo homer run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Flames held CC in the seventh to capture the consolation bracket title with an 8-2 win on nine hits.
Cross's record moves to 4-6 on the season with the win.
Following this weekend's tournament hosted by the University of South Florida, the Flames break into regular-season action on Tuesday, March 21st in a doubleheader versus USF in Temple Terrace, Fla., beginning at 4:00 pm (EST).
