March 20, 2010

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A five run sixth inning would comprise all the damage done as Massachusetts would shut out out the UIC softball team, 5-0 in the San Diego Classic II Tournament opener in San Diego on Friday afternoon.

The contest marks the second time the two squads would face each other this season, with the Minutewomen taking the first meeting in a 5-4 walkoff win back on Feb. 13 in Miami at the FIU Tournament.

Ashley Hewett threw a brilliant game through five for the Flames (6-14), allowing only two hits and three walks against UMass. The Flames would remain scoreless as well, stranding four runners after the first five.

But the sixth inning would be the Flames undoing, as back to back walks would score the first of five, with an infield error and three hits giving the Minutewomen their eventual five run cushion for the shutout.

The Flames would only be able to get six runners on base off of five hits as UMass pitcher Sara Plourde fanned 14 in her 12th win on the season. Melinda Macias would open the contest with a double and follow up with a single up the middle in the third, but the Flames would only advance a pair of runners to second base.

Hewett would strike out eight in her eighth loss of the season.

UIC will face host San Diego later this evening at 9:00 p.m. CST.