May 8, 2004

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - The University of Illinois at Chicago baseball team held a slim 2-1 lead over Butler late in the opening game of their doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.

UIC, however, put all questions to rest in the bottom of the fifth inning, as the Flames exploded for six runs, putting the game out of reach for the Bulldogs, claiming the 9-2 Horizon League victory at Les Miller Field.

Senior left fielder Mike Hughes led the Flames offensively, going 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored, including a two-run homer, his tenth of the season.

With the victory, UIC improves to 29-15 overall and 10-4 in Horizon League action, while the Bulldogs fall to 21-22 on the season and 8-6 in conference play.

UIC freshman right-hander Ryan Zink tossed a complete-game, five-hitter with eight strikeouts to improve his record to a team-best, 7-3. The complete-game was Zink's fifth of the season.

Butler starter Matt Byzet (4-1) took the loss for the Bulldogs, his first of the season, allowing seven runs and seven hits in 4.2 innings of work.

UIC got on the board in the first inning, as junior first baseman Justin Johnson roped a two-run double, scoring Hughes (walk) and Bryan Russo (bunt single), giving the Flames the 2-0 lead.

The Bulldogs cut the lead in half in the fifth, as leadoff hitter Matt Crews roped a two-out double, which plated Jason Combs (2-for-2, run), bringing the score to 2-1.

The Flames blew the door wide open in the bottom of the fifth inning, as they tallied six runs off of Butler hurlers, four of which came with two outs in the frame.

Hughes provided the offensive fireworks for the Flames, connected for a two-run homer. Senior third baseman Brad Ryan also roped a two-run single for the Flames during the inning.