Feb. 13, 2011

UNLV Box Score
Cal-Riverside Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The UIC softball team emerged triumphant on Saturday evening, besting host UNLV, 4-2 and Cal-Riverside, 5-3 of day two at the Sportco Kickoff Classic.

Despite a nearly two-hour delay in play due to earlier contests running long, the Flames (3-1) bounced back from early deficits in both contests, balancing quality offense with solid defense from veterans and rookies alike.

UIC closes out the weekend with a re-match against Mississippi State at 12 p.m. CST, which will be available on GameTracker.

Game One: UIC 4, UNLV 2
The host Rebels would jump on the board first as UNLV's shortstop, Tayler Alemon drove a home run straight over center field with a runner on for a 2-0 lead.

Nothing would transpire for the Flames' offense until the fourth when Jenna Marsalli opened the inning with a double to right field, followed up by a Natalie Hernandez two-run homer of her own to level things off for both sides at two apiece.

With a runner at third in the bottom of the fourth, Marsalli would foreshadow things to come by picking off Jaexie Balilea at third to prevent any offensive opportunities for the Rebels.

The Flames would close out the top of the fifth with the bases loaded as UNLV's Amanda Oliveto would fan the last two batters of the inning to keep the game tied at two.

Melinda Macias would open the seventh with a four-ball walk, and moved over to second courtesy a hopping bunt from Carly DeMarco. With one out on a 2-0 count, Ashley Hewett drove a hard-hitting single past UNLV's Alemon into left field to bring Macias home for the go-ahead run.

Marsalli would seal the deal for the Flames, as her infield sacrifice would drive in DeMarco for the 4-2 UIC lead.

But UNLV would not roll over so easily, opening the bottom of the seventh with a single from Alemon towards Hernandez, the Rebels first hit since the second frame. Alemon would move over to second after an infield miscue, but it would be all for naught for UNLV as Macias would close out the contest with an amazing throw from deep foul right field territory to home plate to pick off the final run of the game.

Devin Miller would pick up her first victory of the season from the circle, fanning five in the four hit contest.

Game Two: UIC 5, Cal-Riverside 3
The Highlanders of Cal Riverside would jump out to a two-run lead in the fourth when they would string together a trio of singles for a 2-0 advantage.

UIC responded in the bottom of the frame as DeMarco would open up the inning with a blooper single to centerfield. A stolen base and a putout would move her to third before Hewett's RBI single to left field would cut UCR's lead to one.

But the real damage would fall during the bottom of the sixth when four hits would convert themselves to four runs to put UIC ahead, 5-2. A single from Hewett was followed by a five-ball walk to Marsalli and Coryn Schmit reaching on an error would load the bases for Hernandez.

The freshman would continue her heavy-hitting ways, clearing the bases with a triple. Kelsey Sturgeon would put the final run on the board, driving in Hernandez with a sacrifice flyout to left field for the three-run lead.

Cal Riverside would not go away so easily, driving in a run with one out in the top of the seventh, and loaded the bases before Miller would come in to relieve Hewett in the circle to cut the Highlanders lead to two. With two pitches, JoJo Mendoza would ground into a double play to close out the contest in the Flames favor for a Saturday sweep.

Hewett would gain her second win the circle, while Miller would earn her second save on the young season.