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Feb. 12, 2010

North Florida Box Score
Southern Illinois Box Score

MIAMI - The UIC softball team opened up the 2010 campaign with wins over North Florida and Southern Illinois on Friday at Combat Classic, hosted by Florida International.

The Flames (2-0) out hit their opponents by a 14-6 margin, holding both UNF and SIU to a lone run in each contest.

UIC 4, North Florida 1
Melinda Macias' game-opening double to left center field set the tone for the Flames, who got on the board first as Stephanie Chavez belted a homer to drive Macias in for a 2-0 lead.

After quiet second and third innings, another pair of UIC runs graced the scoreboard in the fourth, courtesy a trio of walks and savvy base-maneuvering that saw freshman Teresa Aguilar and Kara Komp steal bases in their Flames debut.

The Osprey was limited in their offensive efforts as only three UNF players reached base prior to the sixth inning. North Florida then capitalized on a two-out double by Kara Rutenbar that drove a runner in to cut the Flames lead to three, but were unable to get past pitcher Ashley Hewett who closed out the game with four straight putouts.

The sophomore Hewett struck out four and gave up three hits while going 1-for-2 with a run on the inaugural outing. Macias, taking on the lead-off position, went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run in the morning contest.

UIC 9, Southern Illinois 1 (Five Inn.
While the Salukis scored first in the opening inning off of two hits that brought home shortstop Haley Gorman, the Flames would retaliate in the second with a four-run, three-hit inning.

Back to back singles from Hewett and Shannon Kehr moved the Flames into scoring position and the first of two SIU miscues of the inning tied things up when Hewett crossed home plate after an errant throw by the thirdbasemen moved Kehr all the way to third. Sophomore Kelsey Sturgeon would make the most of her at-bat, driving in the go-ahead run in Kehr off a well-hit single to left field. Two more would score to increase the score to 4-1 against a perennially potent Saluki squad.

But solid defense was on display from UIC, who turned a double play against both UNF and SIU on Friday, but limited Southern to only two runners reaching first- and only first -after the opening inning.

UIC continued to score, putting up four runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to cap-off the run-ruled contest at the end of the fifth inning.

Sturgeon would have a banner day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs and a RBI as the starting third-basemen.

Freshman ace Devin Miller struck out five and gave up three hits in her first start in a UIC uniform.

The Flames return to action tomorrow morning against Massachusetts at 8:00 a.m. CST. Weather permitting, fans will have the option to watch Saturday's contests via webcast through fiusports.com.

Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:

1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link

2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames."

Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page.

UIC Flames Softball

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