April 6, 2011

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score | Updated Statistics

CHICAGO - Home runs from Natalie Hernandez and Ashley Hewett propelled the UIC softball team to a 3-0 victory in the nightcap of a doubleheader split against Loyola on Wednesday afternoon.

The Flames (13-15, 4-3 Horizon) opened the afternoon with the Ramblers (13-13, 4-1 Horizon) in a scoreless defensive battle in the opening contest, as UIC would only pick up three hits through the entirety of the lid lifter.

Loyola would strike in the fourth inning with two outs, as catcher Jenna Grim would reach after being brushed by a pitch, and would score from first off a double from third basemen Lauren Moore to the right center of Flames Field for the ultimate 1-0 score.

Stranding six throughout, UIC would only get a pair into scoring position as Coryn Schmit would enter the lineup in the fourth and knock a double down the left field line, only to be matched by Hernandez in the seventh as she opened the frame with a double into left.

Hewett would be the hard-luck loser for the Flames in the circle, surrendering a mere four hits and the run in the first game, fanning five in the seven-inning effort.

After containing Loyola through two in the second contest, Hernandez would line a hard-hit shot straight over the left field wall in the bottom of the second for her third homer of the year to get UIC's first run of the day to go up, 1-0.

With one out in the fourth, Schmit would reach on a full-count walk prior to Hewett's return to the plate. After a quartet of infield putouts in her first four appearances, the junior took her ball for a ride, looping over the right field fence for home run number four to put the Flames ahead by three.

Devin Miller would limit Loyola to four hits and fanned seven in the nightcap, while Carly DeMarco prevented the Ramblers lone scoring opportunity in the sixth when Brooke Andresen, who was on second courtesy of a double one batter earlier, tried to go home amidst a centerfield single from Bridget Lally. DeMarco's arm beat out Andresen at the plate as only one other baserunner would reach second in the contest for Loyola.

"We've really trained to have our defense be our mainstay," said head coach Michelle Venturella. "And that includes pitching. Both pitchers came out and did really well. Anytime they do that, they are going to give us a chance to win.

"We had opportunities in the first game, but we couldn't get timely hits like we needed to. The second game was really nice to see all the parts working together. And when they come together like that, the game is very simple."