Delaware Concludes Play at UCF/Courtyard by Marriott Invitational With 8-0 Setback To Illinois-Chicago
February 20, 2011
photo courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Boxscore
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Blue Hen softball team concluded play at the UCF/Courtyard by Marriott Invitational with an 8-0 loss to Illinois-Chicago Sunday morning at the UCF Softball Complex.
The Flames, who improved to 5-4 on the season, took control by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Melinda Macias led off by working a walk, and one out later Natalie Hernandez also drew a base on balls. Macias then advanced to third when UD starting pitcher Kathleen Conway retired Jenna Marsalli on a flyout, but Hernandez stole second base and Courtney Heeley was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Shannon Kehr followed with a single to rightfield, driving home Macias and Hernandez to give UIC an early two-run lead.
Delaware, which fell to 0-5 on the year, looked to answer in the top of the second as Michelle Grap walked and Rachel Jones singled to rightfield with one out. However Flames pitcher Devin Miller struck out Michelle McKinnon and Bertie Lake to work out of the jam.
UIC added a run in the second when Coryn Schmit worked a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Christie Seddon, and came around to score on a double to rightcenter by Macias. The Flames then put the game away by scoring five runs, all unearned, in the bottom of the third.
Marsalli led off the frame by reaching on an error by Blue Hen third baseman Amanda Stacevicz, and one out later Kehr was hit by a pitch. Teresa Aguilar then hit a groundball to Grap at shortstop but Grap’s throw was off the mark, allowing Marsalli to score the Flames’ fourth run of the contest. Schmit then doubled to rightfield to drive home a pair, and following a walk to Seddon, Macias delivered a two-run double to leftcenter to close the scoring.
Miller improved to 2-5 for UIC by firing a three-hit shutout and striking out six batters, while Conway dropped to 0-1 after allowing eight runs, just three earned, on four hits in 2.1 innings of work. Blue Hen reliever Anne Marie Pagano gave up just one hit and a walk in 1.2 frames of scoreless relief.
Jenny Richards (at right) led the Delaware attack by finishing 2 for 2 with a double, while Jones had the other Blue Hen hit.
Delaware returns to action on Friday when the Blue Hens travel to Longwood for a 3 p.m. doubleheader with the Lancers.
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