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Box Score 2 Feb. 27, 2016 Box Score
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The UIC softball team (6-8) could not find the timely hits on Saturday as it was edged in both of its games on day two of the SCU Invitational. The Flames first suffered a 2-0 loss to Nevada (12-2) and then went to nine innings with Santa Clara (4-9), who picked up the 4-3 walkoff win.
UIC only accumulated 11 hits on the day, as its opponents tallied 12. Freshman Skylee James led the Flames with three hits, followed by senior LaRi Mitchell and freshman Lexi Watts with two apiece. Freshman Emily Wetzel posted a team-high two RBI and senior Dana Capocci drew a best three walks, all against the Broncos.
Pitching was a highlight for UIC, as junior Elaine Heflin, redshirt-freshman Karissa Frazier, redshirt-junior Alice Fitzpatrick and senior Bridget Boyle controlled the circle and scattered seven strikeouts, four walks and 12 hits to post a combined 1.34 ERA and .222 opponent batting average.
NEVADA 2, UIC 0
UIC could not find the offensive production it needed as it was limited to four base runners off two hits and two walks, while Nevada converted on its six hits. James and freshman Claire Crane had the lone tallies for the Flames, with sophomores Mack-Miller and Taylor Cairns earning the free bases.
After leaving runners at the corners in the fourth, Nevada loaded the bases in the top of the fifth with back-to-back singles and a walk before it brought in the first run of the game on a hit-by-pitch.
The Flames left three base runners on after five innings as James singled in the second, Mack-Miller walked in the fourth and Crane came in to pinch hit and singled in the fifth.
The Wolfpack added another run to go up 2-0 in the sixth after a walk and single put two on and then an infield single scored the runner from third.
Heflin went 5.1 innings in the circle, struck out five, walked three, allowed five hits and was credited with two runs. Frazier entered on relief in the top of the sixth with two runners on and one out and closed out the game, allowing just one hit.
SANTA CLARA 4, UIC 3 (9)
It took nine innings for the night cap to be decided as Santa Clara found the game-winning run with two outs to walk off with the win. Watts, James and Mitchell all posted two-hit outings, while Wetzel (2) and Watts picked up the RBI.
UIC came out in the top of the first to load the bases but ended the frame with all runners stranded. Cairns and Watts led off with back-to-back singles and then converted the double steal before Capocci walked with two outs.
Santa Clara plated the first run of the game in the second when its leadoff batter doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly.
In the fourth, Capocci and junior Savannah Soppet drew back-to-back walks and each moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by junior Rachel May. Wetzel then stepped to the plate and hit a liner off the pitcher that allowed both runners to score for the 2-1 advantage.
The Broncos found the game-tying run in the bottom of the sixth as it placed runners at the corners and had one score with two outs on a UIC error.
After a scoreless seven, the game went into the eighth, where each team put up a run to remain in a stalemate. The Flames loaded the bases after Nagle started in inning on second, May hit a bunt single and Cairns walked, setting up Watts to hit a single through the left side. Santa Clara came back and scored its run after moving up its runner on second off a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a sacrifice fly.
UIC was held off base in the ninth, but the Broncos took advantage of their chances as they put two runners in scoring position and then brought in the winning run on a RBI single to right.
The Flames had the opportunity to convert on their chances, but left a total of 14 runners on base.
Fitzpatrick received the start and pitched 7.0 innings, during which time she struck out two, walked one, allowed five hits and earned just one run. Boyle entered to pitch in the eighth frame and gave up just one hit as she was credited with the loss.
The Flames return to the SCU Softball Field on Sunday and look to conclude the SCU Invitational on a high not as they take on UConn in their final game at 11 a.m. CT.
