May 16, 2014
Box Score
CHICAGO - The UIC baseball team (24-24, 17-12 HL) used two three-run home runs, including a go-ahead blast from Mickey McDonald in the eighth inning, to defeat Oakland (11-31, 6-17 HL) by a score of 8-7 Friday night. Alex Posey allowed one run in the ninth inning but earned his fourth save of the season after striking out Trent Pell with two runners on base to end the contest.
Conor Philbin belted his first career home run in the fourth inning while McDonald's long ball was the second of his career. Zenon Kolakowski went 3-for-4 and scored while John Coen had two hits, drove in a run and crossed the plate twice.
UIC starter Ian Lewandowski lasted 6 1/3 innings and allowed five runs on ten hits. He struck out six batters, walked two and threw 65 of his 104 pitches for strikes. Mitchell Schulewitz (4-7) earned the win out of the bullpen after allowing a run on two hits over 1 2/3 innings.
Lewandowski scattered four hits through the first three innings but kept the Golden Grizzlies off the scoreboard. Oakland finally broke through for two runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning.
UIC had two hits through the first three innings before plating three runs in the fourth. With two outs and Jeff Boehm on first base, Tyler Detmer reached on an infield single to put two runners on for Philbin. Philbin launched a 1-0 pitch over the right field wall to give the Flames a 3-2 lead.
Lewandowski retired seven straight batters after Oakland's two-run fourth inning. The Golden Grizzlies knocked Lewandowski out of the game in the seventh after Robby Enslen's three-run home run and Zach Sterry's double.
UIC narrowed the Oakland lead to 5-4 by pushing one across the plate during its half of the seventh inning. Coen led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. McDonald reached on a dropped third strike and Coen scored on Ian Yetsko's throwing error.
UIC used a thrilling two-out rally to score four runs in the bottom of the eighth. Kolakowski singled up the middle and pinch hitter Jacob McNamara walked on four straight pitches. Coen brought Kolakowski home on a single to right field and McDonald followed with a three-run home run over the left field fence.
The Flames conclude the regular season Saturday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 p.m. at Curtis Granderson Stadium. UIC has already clinched the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the conference tournament, which is scheduled to start on May 21 in Mequon, Wis., at Kapco Park. The Flames are slotted to play in Game #4 of the HL tournament on Thursday (5/22) at 3 p.m., awaiting the winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 seed.
