March 23, 2010

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The UIC softball team capped off their west coast trip with a pair of losses to Long Beach State, falling in the nightcap with an extra inning defeat on Tuesday afternoon.

The Flames (6-20) will look to snap their eight-game losing streak in their home opener on Sunday, March 28 in a double-header against Western Illinois, beginning at 2 p.m.

GAME ONE: LBSU 5, UIC 3
After the 49er's jumped out to a one-run lead in the first, UIC immediately responded in the second as Carly DeMarco opened the frame by reaching first after a dropped third-strike. A pair of stolen bases moved her to third, and a throwing error by Long Beach's catcher tied things up at 1-1.

With one out in the third, Shannon Kehr drove a single down the left field line, and was immediately followed by Brooke Frydendall's first triple of the season to give the Flames a 2-1 lead. Two batters and a pair of outs later, DeMarco would strike again with an outfield single, bringing Frydendall home for the 3-1 lead.

Not to be outdone on their home turf, Long Beach nailed two hits, including an 2 RBI double from firstbasemen Christina Schallig to regain the lead, 4-3.

The start of the fourth would bring forth a new 49ers pitcher, and Brooke Turner would keep the Flames completely at bay, allowing only a single hit and a walk throughout the remainder of the contest.

GAME TWO: LBSU 3, UIC 2 (Nine Inn.)
After keeping the 49ers off the board from the get-go, including a second inning which concluded with the bases loaded, UIC struck first in the top of the third.

With two outs, Christie Seddon would reach on a walk, and was followed by a left field single by Melinda Macias, which would move her to third. A double down the left field line from Stephanie Chavez drove Seddon home, but Macias would be gunned down at the plate in a 762 putout.

Ashley Hewett, the losing pitcher in the lid-lifter would sail her second homer of the season over left field for a 2-0 Flames advantage.

But Long Beach responded quickly in the fourth, scoring a pair of runs of a centerfield single from Ashley Weber for a tie ballgame.

The Flames had chances in the fifth as a single from Kelsey Sturgeon and a pair of walks would load the bases, but UIC was unable to capitalize on any offensive opportunities.

As neither side put up a run prior to the end of regulation, the contest continued on for the Flames sixth extra inning contest of the season.

The closest UIC would get to a scoring chance was in the eighth when Chavez reached on an infield error and moved to second after a well laid out sacrifice bunt from Kehr. But Chavez would be one of seven stranded on base for the Flames in the nightcap.

The 49rs would strike with one out in the bottom of the ninth, when Nalani St. Germain, who was placed on second to open the inning, would score after a sac bunt and a fielder's choice gave Long Beach State the victory.