Feb. 21, 2009

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. - The UIC softball team picked up a 5-4 victory over Portland State at the UCF Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

Down by two, Stephanie Chavez tied things up for the Flames (2-9) at three all with the first triple of her career, driving in Sarah Clynes and Melinda Macias in the third inning. The junior would end up going three-for-four with her pair of RBI off of the triple.

With the game tied, Whitney Orellana came into the circle in to surrender a lone home run and scattered a mere four hits for her first victory of the season (1-0). The Vikings would take a 4-3 lead off of center fielder Jackie Heide's homer in the fifth, but UIC displayed great poise with a pivotal sixth inning.

Brooke Frydendall tied the game at four when her infield hit dropped right over pitcher Nichole Latham's head and out of reach of the rest of the Vikings, allowing pinch runner Brittany Wilson to score.

Frydendall has now extended her hitting streak to six games.

One batter later, freshman Kelsey Sturgeon's single right back at Latham gave Ashley Hewett time to cross the plate, giving the Flames the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning run.

The Flames return to action this afternoon against Oklahoma State at 3:30 p.m. CST and will be available on Gametracker through uicflames.com.