March 8, 2008
Box Score
Nashville, Tenn.- A fly ball that got lost in a heavy snow hit the ground and allowed the tying and winning runs to score with two out in the bottom of the ninth as the UIC baseball lost a heartbreaking 5-4 decision at fifth-ranked Vanderbilt at Hawkins Field on Friday.
During a game that was played under rainy conditions throughout until the precipitation transformed into snow, UIC (3-5) took a 4-1 lead into the ninth inning, where reliever Don Phillis retired two of the first three hitters he faced. Closer Adam Worthington came on to get the final out, but a walk and two consecutive RBI singles cut the Fames' lead to a single run.
Vanderbilt's (7-3) Ryan Flaherty then lofted a ball to center, but Steve McGuiggan was unable to locate the ball in the snow. The ball came down for a hit, brining in the tying run and the winning run as Alex Feinberg just beat the throw and subsequent tag by Kevin Coddington in a bang-bang play at the plate to win the game.
UIC starter Derrick Miramontes allowed just one run in 6.1 innings.
The Flames took their lead in the first inning after McGuiggan, who doubled to lead off the game, scored on Tony Altavilla's RBI single.
In the top of the seventh Rafael Garcia hit a double and came home on Jason Ganek's single just one batter later.
After the Commodores scored a run in their half of the seventh, Jake Carr began the eighth with a double. Coddington singled to move Carr over a base, and Ryan Meehan hit into a fielder's choice to drive in Carr.
UIC put up a run for a third consecutive inning when Garcia scored from third on Andy Leonard's bunt single in the top of the ninth.
Three of UIC's last four games have been decided by a single run.
The Flames continue their series with Vanderbilt on Saturday at 2 p.m.
