Box Score

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The UIC softball team (4-5) suffered a 5-3 loss to Idaho State (4-7) on Sunday at the SCU Softball Field during the final day of competition at the SCU Bronco Classic. Senior Paige Peterson and freshman Tiana Mack-Miller each had two hits to contribute to the Flames' seven.

"I like how we are competing from the first pitch to the last," head coach Michelle Venturella said. "We kept getting stronger offensively throughout the game and that's a good sign. We hit the ball hard, but they didn't fall today. We will continue to work on being better in all parts of our game to continue to grow together."

The Bengals picked up an early run in the first as the leadoff batter hit a bunt single and rounded to third on a stolen base and UIC error before scoring on a double from Hailey Breakwell.

The Flames answered with a run of their own in the top of the second when Mack-Miller led off with her first career triple to right field and eventually scored with two outs after sophomore Kayleigh Nagle singled through the right side.

Three runs came for Idaho State in the fourth after beginning the bottom of the frame with a walk and single. Runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a home run by Dara Kolar. The Bengals put its final run on the board in the fifth, as they loaded the bases on a pair of Flames' errors and a single before walking in the run. Idaho State loaded the bases again in the sixth but UIC got out of the inning.

In the final push to answer the Bengals, sophomore Rachel May pinch hit for junior LaRi Mitchell and earned a free base, bringing Mitchell back in to run and steal her second base of the game and 10th of the season, while she also reached third on a Idaho State error on the play. Peterson then worked her at-bat and slugged her first home run of the season over the right field fence to bring to the score to 5-3, but the final out followed.

Junior Bridget Boyle started in the circle for UIC and pitched four innings while striking out three batters and giving up six hits. Sophomore Elaine Heflin came in the finish the game and allowed just one hit.

The Flames return to Chicago before departing for Clearwater, Fla., where they will compete Friday through Sunday in the USF-Under Armour Invitational. UIC will be faced with Rhode Island, Sacred Heart, Villanova, USF and Maine.