March 24, 2000

Marietta, Ga. - For the first time in three tournaments, the UIC softball team dropped a pool-play contest as they went 1-1 in opening day action of the 2000 Holiday Inn Buzz Classic at the Al Bishop Softball Complex.

The Flames (30-17) opened the evening with a 5-3 triumph over Middle Tennessee State (17-13) as Rory Gonzales-Gould picked up her team-best 14th win of the season. Gonzales-Gould (14-9) scattered five hits while allowing just one earned run and striking out five Lady Raiders.

The UIC offense pounced on MTSU early, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Edel Leyden led of the frame with a single to right, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the Raider catcher. Stefanie Christoferson followed by laying down a perfect suicide-squeeze bunt, scoring Leyden and beating the throw to first. After Julie Bumgardner reached on a fielder's choice and Christoferson advanced to third on an error by MTSU, Kathy Casey drove in both with a double into the right-centerfield gap.

Leyden put the Flames up for good, 5-0, in the second inning with a two-run home run over the right field wall. Gina Arnold had her 11-game hitting streak snapped as she went 0-for-3 in the contest.

Unfortunately for UIC, they were not able to carry over their offensive success into the second game of the night as they were held to just a pair of hits in a 2-0 loss to Rhode Island.

Gwen Rack was the star for the Rams, pitching seven scoreless innings and also driving in both RIU runs with a double to left field in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Maral Binnebose (3-1) was tabbed with her first loss of the season as after pitching five scoreless innings a walk and back-to-back hits by Rhode Island with two outs in the sixth inning cost the sophomore hurler.

The Flames continue pool play at the Buzz Classic tomorrow afternoon, battling Ohio at 12:30 p.m. and Florida Atlantic at 5:30 p.m. EST.