Feb. 13, 2010

UMass Box Score
FIU Box Score

MIAMI - The UIC softball team played in two very tight competitions on Saturday, but were unable to pull out victory against Massachusetts and host Florida International at the Combat Classic.

"While we are disappointed in the losses, we are pleased with the level of play from our team today," said head coach Michelle Venturella.

"We will continue to push ourselves with the strength of our schedule, as we believe this team is up for the challenge and will continue to prove such with each game."

The Flames (2-2) will look to close out their trek to Miami with a victory in the tournament finale against North Carolina State tomorrow at 10 a.m. CST. Fans will be able to follow the contest via gametracker, starting with the first pitch.

Florida International 2, UIC 1
FIU jumped out to a two-run lead in the top of the first as the host school served as the visiting team in the afternoon contest against the Flames.

UIC got on the board in the bottom of the third when Carly DeMarco made it home after a double, followed by a steal to third and a safe slide into home to cut FIU's lead to one.

The Flames played a very strong defensive game throughout as FIU, who had four hits in the first inning, were held hitless from the second inning until the sixth, when first basemen Patty Zavala put a well placed bunt in front of the plate, but failed to capitalize as the inning ended a batter later. That the last hit for the Golden Panthers.

The second game of the day had an infield switch as Stephanie Chavez moved from catcher to shortstop, while freshman Teresa Aguilar made her debut behind the plate. Third basemen Kelsey Sturgeon made a great jumping grab to prevent the Golden Panthers from getting an outfield hit in the top of fourth.

The final opportunity for UIC to tie the contest came in the fifth with one out when Sturgeon hit a single to left field, but even with Kara Komp coming in to pinch run, nothing came of the final baserunner for the Flames in the game as both teams had 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and the seventh.

UIC was held to three hits in the afternoon tilt, while Ashley Hewett limited the Golden Panthers to five hits with three Ks and a lone walk.

Massachusetts 5, UIC 4
UIC jumped out to an early lead against the Minutewomen in the first, starting with a game opening triple from Melinda Macias. Two walks later and the bases loaded, Brooke Frydendall doubled to deep right center to drive in a pair to go up 2-0.

Two innings later, an errant throw by the thirdbasemen Teea Rogers trying to beat the quick Christie Seddon misfired and Seddon advanced to second.

With two outs and a full count, Hewett smacked a double deep enough to get Seddon and Frydendall--who singled to left field--home for a four-run lead.

UMass was scoreless until the third, when a pair of back to back walks came back to haunt the Flames as outfielder Michelle Libby's deep right field homer cut UIC's lead to one.

Massachusetts put the tying run up in the sixth as Sarah Reeves drove Katie Bettencourt in all the way from first off a double to left center field.

The Flames had an opportunity to retake the lead in the top of the seventh with Macias on third, but pitcher Sara Plourde, who settled down significantly from the start of the game, had her 12th strikeout of the game to close out the Flames offensive opportunities.

Back to back hits from UMass, followed by an intentional walk to load the bases gave way to an infield error that gave the Minutewomen a walk-off victory.

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