March 30, 2010
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format 
CHICAGO - The UIC baseball team used a pair of two-run homers in back-to-back innings on Tuesday night to defeat the visiting Northwestern Wildcats, 6-1.
Steve McGuiggan of UIC (6-14) broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out, two-run blast off Northwestern (6-18) starter Joe Muraski in the bottom of the fifth. McGuiggan, the reigning Horizon League Player of the Week, ripped the 0-2 over the center field wall to give the Flames a two-run cushion, 3-1.
Freshman Joe Betcher added to the total when he hit a two-run home run of his own. The line drive over the left field fence was the second homer in the rookie's young career.
Joey Begel picked up the win in relief for UIC, the first in his collegiate career. Begel was one of six Flames relievers who chipped in with a scoreless inning of relief.
Muraski took the loss for the Wildcats, falling to 0-3 on the season.
Begel and lefty Eric Wyman each struck out one, while Brad Riegler added two punch-outs during his scoreless frame.
Charlie Weinberg and Mike Schoolcraft each worked easy one, two, three innings, while Matt Salemi allowed back-to-back singles with two outs in the ninth, but was able to get Northwestern's Arby Fields to fly out to McGuiggan to end the threat and the game.
Tim Suminski started the ballgame for UIC. The freshman allowed one first-inning run on two hits and two walks, but after that he settled down and allowed only two more singles in a total of 3.0 IP.
The Wildcats drew first blood in the opening inning when Fields led off the game with a double to deep left-centerfield. He would come around to score three batters later on Chris Lashmet's sacrifice fly to center.
The Flames got on the board in the third inning when Andy Leonard scored on Jason Ganek's sacrifice fly to right field.
UIC added another insurance run in the eighth inning. Matt Serna hit a fly ball to centerfield and Fields dropped what looked to be a surefire out, allowing the hustling newcomer to make it to third base. John Rosinski was hit by a Michael Jahns pitch and was lifted for pinch runner, Nick Addison.
The Wildcats appeared to have Addison picked off from first, but after a lengthy run-down, the redshirt freshman kicked the ball loose from second baseman Colby Everett's glove. Addison was safe on the play and the ball squirted far enough away to allow Serna to score the sixth tally of the game.
Serna and Andy Leonard both scored twice in the ballgame for UIC.
The Flames will be back into Horizon League play this weekend when they travel to Niles, Ohio for a three-game set with the Youngstown State Penguins. The two squads will play Friday at 2:00 p.m. CT and again in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. CT.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes 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.
