Sept. 16, 2014

CHICAGO - The UIC softball team kicked off its fall season with a pair of wins against Loyola on Saturday (Sept. 13) at Flames Field. The Flames picked up an 11-1 victory in game one and came back in game two to take a 5-1 win against the Ramblers.

"These were two great team wins," head coach Michelle Venturella said. "I was pleased with the pressure that our short game was putting on Loyola and was happy with the communication on defense. We have a lot to work on but we were encouraged as a staff to see their effort produce such results."

"Alice (Fitzpatrick) did a nice job of setting the tone in game one with solid performances on offense and defense. It was good to see some of our newcomers come in and make a difference. Tiana (Mack-Miller) was strong at the plate and played a nice third base. Karissa (Frazier) started game two and had four solid innings."

Junior Alice Fitzpatrick started on the mound for UIC in game one and pitched four scoreless innings and allowed just two hits and one walk before sophomore Elaine Heflin came in on relief and held the Ramblers to one run. Fitzpatrick additionally produced at the plate as she went 3-for-4 with four RBI off her first career grand slam.

In game two, freshman Karissa Frazier made her first start in the circle and went four innings with five strikeouts. Junior Bridget Boyle entered in the fifth and held off Loyola before redshirt-sophomore Lindsay Melson came in to finish the game.

The Flames scored four of their five runs in the first inning, as junior LaRi Mitchell led off with a single, junior Laura Swan was hit by a pitch and sophomore Kaleigh Nagle was walked to load the bases. Freshman Tiana Mack-Miller then singled to drive in her first of two run in the game, as one more run scored in the fourth.

UIC will return to Flames Field on Saturday (Sept. 20) to host Northern Illinois and Kirkwood Community College. The Flames will take on NIU at noon CT, followed by a 2 p.m. game with KCC.