May 16, 2002

Box Score

Iowa City, Iowa - UIC's bid to upset top-seeded Nebraska in the opening round of the 2002 NCAA Region VII Softball Championship fell just short as they dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker to the #7 Cornhuskers.

Nebraska (46-12) tallied its lone run in the top of the first inning, but that would be all they would need as Peaches James tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings, before Leigh Ann Walker slammed the door on the Flames (42-21) in the bottom of the seventh with a runner on.

The loss spoiled a stellar pitching performance from UIC's Alison Aguilar as she tasted defeat for just the second time in her last 13 outings. Aguilar (22-10), who struck out six on the afternoon, allowed just one hit after the first inning, but three hits and one run by the Cornhuskers in the opening frame was the difference.

UIC threatened in the top of the first inning as well on Thursday, as Edel Leyden and Amanda Rivera both singled off NU starter James. James got out of the jam, though, getting the Flames to strand runners on the corners when she fanned Amber Stachura with an off-speed pitch.

Nebraska would then mount its lone offensive charge in the bottom of the frame, taking a 1-0 lead on a RBI double by Amanda Bucholz. The Cornhuskers would proceed to load the bases with just one out, but Aguilar avoided any further damage, striking out James and getting Leigh Suhr to ground out to second base.

James picked up the win for Nebraska, improving to 21-7 on the year. Walker recorded her second save of the season.

The Flame will now look to bounce back in the regional as they face elimination later this evening as they meet the loser of Oregon State and Wisconsin at 9:00 p.m. The original schedule for today's action has been altered due to a two hour rain delay prior to UIC's tilt with Nebraska.