CARBONDALE, Ill. – The UIC softball team (2-5) faced a pair of challenges in their first day at the Saluki Invitational on Friday, falling 10-2 (6) to Creighton (1-3) before taking a 9-4 loss to host Southern Illinois (11-0) in its final game of the day.
The Flames scored first against Creighton, putting up two runs in their first at bat, but that would be all they would get, as the Bluejays posted a 12-hit effort to take down the Flames early. UIC tested a 9-2 lead by Southern Illinois with a pair of runs in its final at bat, but the comeback attempt ultimately fell short, as the Salukis ended the inning with a bases-loaded strikeout to squash the threat.
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Game Highlights vs. Creighton
- Maica Ingles led off the game with a single through the left side and Tara McElligott batted her home with her second home run of the season, giving UIC a 2-0 lead after its first at bat.
- Creighton responded with a pair of runs in their half of the first after an error, a passed ball, three walks and a fielder's choice, tying the game at two runs apiece.
- Three hits and another UIC error in the bottom of the second allowed the Bluejays to break the tie and score a pair of runs, 4-2.
- Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Creighton in the bottom of the third, and a single to center brought in another pair of runs, 6-2.
- The Blujays started off the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot, 7-2. A single, a walk and an error put runners at first and second, and a double followed to score them both, 9-2. Another single scored another run and ended the game early, 10-2.
Facts & Figures vs. Creighton
Game Highlights vs. Southern Illinois
- Southern Illinois took an early lead off a two-run home run in the bottom of the first, 2-0.
- The Salukis extended their lead with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second, 3-0.
- The Flames got on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Tara McElligott drew a walk at the start and Kayla Wedl followed with a single up the middle. Ingles grounded out to put McElligott on third and Wedl on second for Larisa Villa, who batted her first career hit through the left side to score them both and put UIC within one, 3-2.
- Southern Illinois created distance with three runs in its half of the fourth. A walk, an error and a single made it 4-2, and a double to right followed scoring two more, 6-2.
- The hosts tacked on another three runs in the bottom of the fifth off a bases-loaded walk and a single, 9-2.
- Down to their final at bat in the top of the seventh, Villa led off for the Flames with a walk and Emma Crowley followed with a single. A passed ball moved them both over, and a ground out from Maddie Spinks scored Villa, 9-3. Cassie Kaelber followed with a single up the middle to plate Crowley, 9-4. Alannah Cran reached on a fielder's choice, McElligott was hit by a pitch and Wedl singled to the shortstop to load the bases, but a strikeout would end UIC's threat.
Facts & Figures vs. Southern Illinois
- The Flames and Salukis finished with nine hits apiece. Kayla Wedl and Emma Crowley each finished with two hits, while Cassie Kaelber, Tara McElligott, Jordyn Cebedo, Larisa Villa and Maddie Spinks made up UIC's remaining five hits.
- Villa picked up her the first two RBI of her collegiate career. Kaelber and Spinks both added an RBI as well.
- McElligott, Wedl, Villa and Crowley all crossed the plate for UIC.
- Miranda Gomez got the start and took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season. Gomez pitched 3.1 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) off five hits. Christina Toniolo finished the final 2.2 innings, allowing three earned runs four hits.
Up Next
- The Flames will face Saint Louis tomorrow at 4:45 p.m. CT in day two of the Saluki Invitational.
