Feb. 29, 2000

Indianapolis, Ind. - Senior Gina Arnold was named the Midwestern Collegiate Conference's Softball Player of the Week, it was announced today.

Arnold received the honor after sparking the UIC offense this past weekend at the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, N.M., as the 18th-ranked Flames won the consolation bracket while posting a 4-2 record.

Arnold hit .389 at the plate (7-for-18), tallying six RBI, four doubles and two runs scored. She came up big for the Flames (16-8 overall) in the consolation bracket championship game on Feb. 27, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a double to help UIC down No. 25 Oregon, 6-5. She was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate against McNeese State on Feb. 26, with a double and two RBI as the Flames won 9-2.

For the season, Arnold is third on the team with a .319 batting average (23-for-72) while her 14 RBI are the second highest on the squad. She has tallied seven doubles, a triple and one homerun so far this season.

UIC went 4-2 at the Troy Cox Invitational, with wins over Texas Tech (2-0, 9 innings), McNeese State (9-2), Wichita State (4-3, 8 innings) and No. 25 Oregon (6-5). The Flames only losses came to 12th-ranked Oregon State and New Mexico.

UIC returns to action Friday, March 3, at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga., where the Flames' opponents will include the No. 1 Washington Huskies.