May 12, 2011

CHICAGO - Natalie Hernandez drove in four runs, including a bases-clearing double as part of a four-run eighth inning as No. 5 UIC (23-21) picked up a 6-2 victory over host and No. 1 seed Loyola University Chicago (26-25) this afternoon in a Horizon League Championship game at Loyola Softball Park. The Ramblers will now face the loser of the Valparaiso-Butler game in an elimination contest later today.

Loyola staked claim to a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Jacqueline Grim led off with a single, then scored on Lauren Moore's two-run home run to centerfield. Moore's homer was her fourth of the year and first since April 23.

That lead was short-lived however, as the Flames scored two runs courtesy of bases-loaded walks in the top of the third inning.

The Ramblers were unable to cash in on a golden opportunity in the sixth inning following Stevie Bradich's lead-off walk. Lauren Arceneaux followed with an infield single and both runners moved into scoring position when UIC starter Devin Miller uncorked a wild pitch. However, the righthander wiggled her way out of the jam by striking out the side to keep the game deadlocked at 2-2.

UIC scored four unearned runs in the top of the eighth inning to take command of the contest and advance in the winner's bracket. Coryn Schmit's bases-loaded single scored Christie Seddon to give the Flames a 3-2 lead and one hitter later, Hernandez delivered a bases-clearing double into the gap in left center as UIC tacked on three insurance runs.

Miller scattered five hits and struck out 10 en route to her 15th win of the year for UIC.

Brooke Andresen recorded two of the Ramblers' five hits against Miller.

Loyola will now face the loser of the No. 2 Valparaiso versus No. 3 Butler game in an elimination contest today at 4 p.m.