March 7, 2008

Box Score

Clearwater, Fla. - After a day of rainy weather, the UIC softball team finally kicked off the USF Under Armour Tournament with a 5-0 triumph over Coastal Carolina on Friday morning in Clearwater, Florida.

Alicia Abbott was 2-for-3 at the plate for UIC with a team-best two RBI. Sarah Clynes (2-7) picked up her first shutout of the season after fanning three batters in 4.0 innings pitched.

Nicole Robinson gave UIC a 1-0 lead on an RBI double to left-center in the top of the second inning.

The Flames attacked again in the third with two more runs on three hits. With runners on second and third, Abbott drilled a single through the right side to send Clynes home. Ackerman then scored when Brooke Frydendall reached first base on a fielder's choice.

Abbott earned her second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly in the fourth to give UIC a 4-0 lead.

The Flames added a run in the seventh on a fielding error by Coastal Carolina.

UIC's Whitney Orellana pitched the first three inning with three strikeouts.

CCU's Alicia Irwin, Brittany Birnbaum, Michelle Evans and Mecaela Ballard each picked up a hit against the Flames.

The Flames face No. 13 Baylor on Sat., March 8 at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 1:30 p.m. contest against Hofstra.