Feb. 19, 2015

CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (3-2) will embark on its first trip of the season this weekend as it makes its way to Santa Clara, Calif., to take part in the SCU Bronco Classic. The Flames will be faced with San Jose State (8-3), host Santa Clara (2-9) and Idaho State (3-7) during the three-day tournament, which gets underway on Friday against SJSU at 5:15 p.m. CT.

The Flames return to competition after a two-week break following the Total Control Sports Invitational (Feb. 6-8). UIC went 3-2 to open the season, its best start since 2011, with wins against North Dakota, Miami (Oh) and Central Michigan.

Six Flames hit above .300 during opening weekend, with junior Dana Capocci (.667, 4-for-6) and senior Erica Hampton (.417, 5-for-12) leading the way. Also above the mark was junior LaRi Mitchell (.389, 7-for-18), freshman Tiana Mack-Miller (.333, 5-for-15), senior Paige Peterson (.313, 5-for-16) and freshman Taylor Cairns (.308, 4-for-13).

Mack-Miller and Cairns each picked up extra-base hits, with Mack-Miller adding her first-career home run against Miami (Oh). UIC tallied 17 RBI, as junior Laura Swan contributed five, and scored a total of 19 runs. Mitchell additionally went a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen bases, averaging 1.2 per game.

On the mound, freshman Karissa Frazier made her collegiate debut and came away with two wins and a save to garner Horizon League Pitcher of the Week honors. In 17 innings, Frazier struck out 14 batters and earned just two runs. Junior Bridget Boyle was also solid in three appearances and collected her first win of the season against Miami (Oh) after holding the RedHawks to five hits without a run.

San Jose State is off to an impressive start after going 5-2 at the Kajikawa Classic (Feb. 5-8) and 4-1 at the Hillenbrand Invitational (Feb. 13-15), with its only losses coming against Ole Miss, UC Riverside and No. 14 Arizona. Jessie Hufstetler (.529, 18-for-34), Michelle Cox (.500, 19-for-38) and Sharon-Renae Estrada (.455, 15-for-33) head the offense for the Spartans. Estrada (7) and Hufstetler (5) have combined for 12 home runs and have tabbed 22 and 24 RBI, respectively. Alison Lang (2.92 ERA) and Madison Fish (5.43) each own 3-1 records in the circle, with Lang possessing two saves and striking out 21 batters in 26.1 innings.

Santa Clara returns home after competing in the Grand Canyon Kick Off (Feb. 6-8) and Fresno State Tournament (Feb. 13-15), having tallied two wins against Northern Colorado and Sacramento State. Cassandra Padilla (.414, 12-for-29), Breezy Bernard (.333, 13-for-39) and Gianetta France (.333, 12-for-36) hold the best output for the Broncos, as France has five home runs and 12 RBI. In its slate of pitchers, Ciara Gonzales (3.54 ERA) has had the best performances for Santa Clara, going 29.2 innings with 10 strikeouts for a 2-3 record.

Idaho State heads to the West Coast following competition at the So Cal Tournament (Feb. 5-7) and Mardi Gras Classic (Feb. 13-15) with wins coming against Long Beach State and a pair versus Mississippi Valley State. Kacie Burnett (.481, 13-for-27) leads the Bengals offensively and has scored 11 runs while adding one double and one home run, with Vicky Galasso (.300, 9-for-30) has compiled three home runs and 13 RBI. Owning the mound is Sophie Slagle (4.20 ERA), who has pitched 33.1 innings with 15 strikeouts and holds a 1-3 record, followed by Bailey Foster (5.25 ERA) with a 2-1 mark.