FRESNO, CALIF. – The UIC softball team (0-4) came up short to Fresno State (4-2) in extra innings on Friday, 4-3.
The Flames jumped on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning when sophomore
Grace Fleming's (one-for-three, one RBI) bases loaded single scored
Anna Walker for an early 1-0 lead.
In the circle for the Flames for her second start this season was senior
Christina Toniolo. In her first six innings of pitching, she struck out three, walked and only allowed two hits entering the later part of the game.
The Flames lead extend even further when sophomore
Hailey Cowing cleared the left field wall in the top of the six for a two-run home run. She went 3-for-3 in the game with her first home run of the season. After another strong inning from Toniolo, the Flames led, 3-0 entering the seventh.
After a three-up, three-down inning in the top of the inning, the Flames were down to their final out before the Bulldogs tied it up with a three-run homerun from senior Alesia Denby, forcing the game into extra innings.
Starting with a runner on second to begin extras, the Flames opportunity to score was thwarted after JoJo Santiago was left stranded at third to end the top of the eighth.
The Bulldogs secured their win in the bottom of inning with one out and the runner on third scored on a sacrifice fly from senior Bella Rocco.
The Flames aim to bounce back tomorrow when they begin their day taking on Iowa State (2-3) at noon and face Seattle (3-2), scheduled for 3 p.m.
