ROCHESTER, Mich. – The UIC softball team (22-16, 19-9 HL) dropped the first doubleheader of its four-game set with Oakland (18-12, 17-9 HL) on Friday, falling 4-2 in game one and 7-0 in game two. The Golden Grizzlies utilized a three-run fourth inning to defeat the Flames in game one and then held UIC to a mere three hits while batting 11 hits of their own in game two to hand UIC its first shutout loss of the season.  

Game One Highlights

• The Golden Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead after their first at bat after stringing together a trio of hits.
• The Flames got on the board and took over the lead in the top of the second. Emma Crowley reached on an error to start things off and was replaced by Cassie Kaelber after a fielder's choice. Alannah Cran singled through the left side and Tara McElligott sent one up the middle to score Kaelber from second and tie the game at one. Maddie Spinks was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Maica Ingles followed with another hit-by-pitch to plate another run, 2-1.
• Oakland took back the lead in the bottom of the fourth, batting four hits and taking advantage of a UIC error to score three runs, 4-2.
• UIC threatened in its final at bat, as Ingles singled and Dee Dee Caskey bunted to put two runners on base with one out, but the next two batters lined out to end the threat.

Game One Facts & Figures

• Oakland finished with more hits, 8-6. Cran led for the Flames with a pair of hits, while Ingles, Caskey, McElligott and Spinks each collected one hit apiece.
• Ingles and McElligott picked up UIC's two RBIs, while Kaelber and Cran scored UIC's two runs.
• Marley Hanlon pitched the duration in the circle, giving up four runs (three earned) off eight hits in 6.0 innings.

Game Two Highlights

• Oakland jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first after four hits and a UIC error.
• The Golden Grizzlies led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple and a walk, and after Miranda Gomez came in to replace starter Christina Toniolo, the Flames got two quick outs via a caught stealing and a strikeout, but the next batter homered to extend the home team's lead, 5-0.
• Alannah Cran led off the top of the fifth with a double and Isabelle Garcia drew a two-out walk, but a foul out ended UIC's threat.
• Oakland added a run off a pair of hits in bottom of the fifth, 6-0.
• Two doubles brought across another run for the Golden Grizzlies in the bottom of the sixth, 7-0.
• Alannah Cran once again doubled in the top of the seventh, but a pair of popups would leave her stranded and hand the Golden Grizzlies the win.

Game Two Facts & Figures

• The Flames were held to three hits, all of which were doubles. Cran took credit for two of the three, while Ferguson batted the other.
• Christina Toniolo got the start and took the loss, allowing four runs, three of which were earned, off six hits in 3.0 innings. Miranda Gomez pitched 2.0 innings of relief and allowed three runs (two earned) off four hits. Alyssa McIntosh pitched the remaining 1.0 inning and allowed one hit.

Up Next

• UIC and Oakland will close out the series tomorrow with another doubleheader starting at noon CT.