Feb. 15, 2008
Box Score
Las Cruces, New Mexico - The UIC softball team fell in both contests on Friday in day one of the New Mexico State Tournament.
The Flames were edged (3-2) by UT-Arlington to open the three-day event. UIC's comeback fell short against North Dakota State, 6-3, as game two ended after the fifth inning due to snow.
UT-Arlington 3, UIC 2
Despite leading 2-0 after four innings of play, UT-Arlington edged the Flames, 3-2, in game one.
Junior Melissa Marinacci was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Sophomore Stephanie Chavez was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Senior Nicole Robinson totaled two hits, while freshman Alicia Abbott and senior Ashlee Ackerman each tabbed a hit.
Senior April Clougherty was 1-for-2 with one run, a triple and an RBI for UT-Arlington. Sophomore Brittany Washington was also 1-for-2 with one run, a triple and an RBI.
Freshman Cassandra Nordie picked up the win for the Mavericks, while junior Sarah Clynes fell to 0-3 on the season. Clynes fanned six batters in seven innings pitched.
UIC took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Chavez to center field. The Flames extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth on Chavez's second RBI of the game to left field.
UT-Arlington tied up the game in the top of the sixth on an RBI triple from Clougherty and an error by Chavez. Washington gave UTA the go ahead run on a homer to left-center in the seventh.
North Dakota State 6, UIC 3 (5 innings)
UIC was topped by North Dakota State, 6-3, in five innings after a late comeback was cut short due to snow.
Clynes was 2-for-3 at the plate with one run scored and one double. Ackerman was also 2-for-3, while Marinacci was 1-for-2 with one RBI.
Sophomore Laurel Pipkin led NDSU with three hits, two runs and one RBI. Freshman Elisa Victa picked up the team's second RBI.
UIC freshman Carly DeMarco (1-1) fanned five batters in 4.0 innings pitched.
North Dakota State took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
The Flames answered in the top of the third with one run. With the bases loaded, Marinacci grounded out to second base to send Clynes home.
UIC tied up the contest in the top of the fourth inning on a double from Clynes.
NDSU added two runs in the bottom of the fourth and one in the fifth.
UIC faces UT-San Antonio at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a contest against New Mexico State at 5:30 p.m. The Flames wrap up the tournament versus Colorado State at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning.
