March 14, 2010
Box Score
WACO, Texas- Michael Heesch turned in a quality start, but host Baylor scored seven runs in the seventh and eighth and the UIC baseball team couldn't muster any offense after the first in a 10-1 loss at Baylor Ballpark on Saturday.
Heesch allowed just three runs in six innings for the Flames (2-10) to get the tough-luck defeat.
Chris Rutta went 3-for-5, while Jason Ganek and Joe Betcher had 2-for-3 days.
UIC scored in the first when Ganek doubled with one away and Rutta hit a two-out, run-scoring single.
Baylor (10-6) responded in the bottom half of the first on Joey Hainsfurther's RBI double with a man on second.
Heesch kept the Bears at bay until the bottom of the sixth, when Chris Slater broke the 1-1 tie with a two-out, two-run homer to left.
The Flames put a pair on scoring position with one out in the next half-inning, but reliever Craig Fritsch struck out Steve McGuiggan and induced a frame-concluding groundout off the bat of Ganek.
That's when Baylor started to put the game out of reach, as the Bears greeted reliever Matt Salemi by scoring four times in the bottom of the seventh. Baylor tacked on three more in the eighth against Charlie Weinberg.
Starter Logan Verrett struck out eight to get the win, and Fritsch pitched three scoreless innings for the save.
The Flames have scored the first run in each of the last six games, including four consecutive contests with tallies in the top of the first.
UIC and Baylor conclude their series on Sunday at 12 p.m.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:
1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link
2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames."
Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page.
