March 22, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Sophomore outfielder Lacey Smale hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning to lead the Santa Clara University's softball team to a 1-0 victory over Illinois-Chicago in the opening game of a non-conference double-header, held this afternoon at Marsalli Park. The Flames rebounded to win the second game 8-3, behind a five-run fifth inning. Santa Clara's overall record moves to 15-13, while UIC moves to 7-19.
Junior Jaime Forman-Lau struck out the first five batters she faced, and did not allow a hit until the sixth inning in her 10th win of the season. She struck out 11 batters.
Smale hit a home run to start the second inning, sending the ball just fair in right field. The Broncos' only other hit of the contest came from freshman Shannon Linerud. The short stop singled down the right line to start the sixth inning.
UIC posed a threat in the seventh, with a single by Michelle Miller. She advanced to third on consecutive sacrifice hits by her teammates, before SCU's Coresta Salas ended the game by catching a fly in centerfield.
The Flames ignited their offense in the second game, earning 12 hits, with six of those coming in the fifth inning. A two-run homer by Amanda Rivera in the first gave Illinois-Chicago an early lead, but the Broncos tied the game in the third. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases for Santa Clara. With two outs on the board, junior Rachel Sherman singled to right field to bring in freshman Jenny Brown. Salas also scored on that play on a Flame throwing error.
UIC pitcher Alison Aguilar walked Tracie Hall to load the bases again, but worked her way out of the inning to keep the game tied at two runs apiece.
The Flames registered six hits in the fifth, with four of those going through the middle of the Bronco defense. Four consecutive singles opened the frame, with SCU pitcher Liz Courter walking in a run as well. Forman-Lau entered the game in relief, but allowed three more runs across home before retiring the side.
SCU added a run in the bottom half of the inning, but could get no closer. Illinois-Chicago added one run as well, in the sixth. Alycia Creese pitched four innings of relief for UIC to earn the win.
Today's game was the second for the Broncos of a seven-game homestand. Santa Clara returns to action during spring break, hosting UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday and Western Washington on Wednesday. First pitch for both double-headers are scheduled for noon at Marsalli Park.
