March 6, 2010

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Ill. - A trio of home runs would sum up the UIC softball team's scoring opportunities in a 4-3 loss to Kansas on Saturday morning in the opening game of the Coach B Classic, hosted by Southern Illinois.

The Flames (4-7), playing for first time since February 22, allowed the Jayhawks (8-8) to score first in the opening frame, taking a 2-0 lead off a pair of hits and a bases loaded walk. Pitcher Ashley Hewett kept the damage to a minimum, getting the final two outs with the bases loaded courtesy a flyout and swinging strike to cap the first inning.

Hewett would answer quickly, opening the top of the second with a home run off of Kansas' hurler Alex Smith. Not to be outdone, Shannon Kehr followed immediately after with her fourth home run of the season, tying the contest at two apiece.

A one-out walk in the bottom of the third would be the difference maker as Kansas catcher Brittany Hile jacked a two-run homer to give the Jayhawks a two-run lead. The Flames were unable to respond immediately, as designated player Coryn Schmit would be caught stealing home in the fourth.

With one out in the top of the seventh, senior Brooke Frydendall would get UIC within a run with her first homer of the season, but a groundout and a swinging strike would cement the 4-3 contest in Kansas' favor.

Both Hewett, Kehr and Schmit would go 2-for-3 in the morning, while Hewett fanned a trio of batters in the circle for her fifth loss of the season.

The Flames next face Southern Illinois Edwardsville this afternoon at 2 p.m.