April 29, 2006
Box Score
Chicago, Ill.-Despite tying up the game versus Loyola in the bottom of the seventh inning, the UIC softball team (21-30, 11-6) fell, 6-3, in a heartbreaker to the Ramblers (15-37, 8-8) in eight innings. The Flames bounced back in game two of the doubleheader with a 4-1 victory to split on the day. The two teams will complete the three-game series at Flames Field on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
Game One: Loyola 6, UIC 3
Senior Brittany McIntyre led UIC at the plate in game one, going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Nicole Robinson also guided the Flames on offense with a .500 batting average (2-for-4).
The Ramblers were powered by freshman Kristin Guska. The first baseman went 2-for-3 for Loyola with two RBI and a solo homer. Lindsay O'Gean picked up two hits, three RBI and her first home run on the season.
Loyola pitcher Laura DeLeon earns the win for the Ramblers, striking out five UIC players in 6.2 innings. Despite fanning six Ramblers in five innings, freshman Kelly Cross moves to 4-9 on the season.
With two on base in the top of the first inning, Loyola earned a 1-0 lead on an RBI single down the left field line by Nora Schober. Kristin Guska extended the Ramblers advantage with a lead off home run in the top of the fourth, followed by a second solo homer from Katerina Krause.
Freshman Kelly Cross replaced senior Brittany McIntyre in the circle for the Flames after the top of the fourth inning.
The Flames cut Loyola's lead to two runs on an RBI double from Brittany McIntyre, sending Liz Jacoby across the plate.
UIC's first baseman Meghan Gallagher singled down the right field line to spark a seventh inning rally for the Flames. With two on base, Nicole Robinson singled up the middle to pick up a two-run RBI and tie the score for the Flames at 3-3.
The Ramblers responded with a Kaycee Tharp triple to start things off in the eighth. With the bases loaded, Lindsay O'Gean ripped one in the 5-6 hole, followed by a UIC error to give Loyola a three-run cushion (6-3).
Holding the Flames in the bottom half of the inning, Loyola grabs the, 6-3, win over the Flames in game one of the doubleheader.
Game Two: UIC 4 , Loyola 1
Leading the Flames on offense in game two, sophomore Lauren Brennan went 2-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI. Six additional Flames earned one hit each to help the Flames earn the win.
Sarah Clynes improves to 12-5 on the season. The freshman fanned six Ramblers in seven innings. With the loss, Krista Crosson slips to 6-22 overall, allowing nine hits in 5.2 innings.
Loyola grabbed a 1-0 advantage on a suicide squeeze from Alexandra Trudnich in the top fifth, but the Flames answered with five hits in the sixth inning to take the lead.
Senior Nikki Shepard reached first on a bunt in between the third baseman and the pitcher. Joyce Cathey then reached on a fielder's choice, followed by an RBI double by Liz Jacoby to tie the score at 1-1.
Taking a 2-1 lead on a wild pitch from Crosson, the Flames broke the game open on a Lauren Brennan RBI single and a two-run double from Melissa Marinacci.
Three up, three down for Loyola in the top of the seventh and the Flames split on the day against the Ramblers with the 4-1 win.
Following this weekend's series against Loyola, the Flames face non-league DePaul on May 3 at Flames Field. UIC squared off against the Blue Demons two weeks ago, dropping DePaul, 10-4.
