April 11, 2008
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Chicago, Ill. - The UIC softball team fell in a doubleheader to Valparaiso on Friday night at Flames Field.
The Crusaders topped UIC, 12-3, in game one. The Flames inched their way back into game two after falling behind early, but fell short, 10-5.
UIC's (16-23, 7-3) series finale versus Valparaiso that was scheduled for Saturday, April 12 has been canceled due to cold weather and snowy conditions in the forecast for the weekend.
Sarah Clynes was 5-for-6 in two games with three runs, one RBI and one home run.
Valparaiso 12, UIC 3
UIC was unable to get its offense started in the opener, falling to Valpo, 12-3. Clynes (10-12) fanned four batters in 6.1 innings of work before Carly DeMarco relieved the junior in the circle.
Clynes was 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs, one RBI and one homer. Ashlee Ackerman totaled one hit with one run.
The Flames took a 2-0 lead in a non-traditional way in the bottom of the first inning on two consecutive illegal pitches by Valparaiso's second pitcher Jill Jacobson.
Valpo cut the deficit in half on a solo home run to left field from Tracy Korth in the top of the third. The Crusaders evened the score in the fourth with a single to right center from Ashley Wolter.
Valparaiso took a two-run advantage (4-2) after Alicia Ashburn crossed home plate on a UIC error followed by a successful stolen base attempt at home.
Clynes ripped a solo home run to right field in the bottom-half of the frame to get the Flames within one run.
The Crusaders pulled away in the top of the seventh with eight runs on seven hits. Korth and Shannon Robinson each picked up two RBI each, while Whitney Warner, Wolter, Karen Korb and Katie Williams notched one RBI to give Valpo a 12-3 lead.
Valparaiso 10, UIC 5
Despite holding Valpo to just two runs in the final five innings, UIC fell short in a late comeback, 10-5.
UIC hurler Whitney Orellana falls to 2-6 on the season. DeMarco replaced Orellana in the circle after 1.1 innings. DeMarco totaled five strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched.
Melissa Marinacci was 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Clynes totaled two hits and one run.
Valpo took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run home run from Warner and a solo shot down the right field line from Mallory Gill.
The Crusaders added another five runs in the top of the second on one hit and two UIC errors.
UIC got within five runs in the bottom-half of the inning. Stephanie Chavez drove in Marinacci on a single to left field and advanced to second after the outfielder mishandled the ball.
After Chavez reached third base on a passed ball, Christie Seddon drilled a ball down the left field line, sending Chavez home. Nikki Rogers then ripped a double to right center to send Seddon across home plate (8-3).
The Flames' defense held the Crusaders for the next two innings before Gill picked up her second home run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. Valpo added one more run in the seventh on a double to left field from Sadie Connor.
UIC attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI from Marinacci and a fielder's choice RBI from Chavez.
The Flames face Loyola in a doubleheader in Rogers Park on Wednesday, April 16 starting at 4 p.m.
