March 15, 2008

Box Score

Los Angeles, Calif. - The UIC softball team lost in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday morning as Tisha Duran's walk-off home run gave UC Santa Barbara a 6-4 victory over the Flames at the LMU Tournament.

Duran's two-run blast came off Lauren Brennan with nobody out in the final frame. Brennan, who fell to 1-1 in the circle, opened the seventh inning in relief of starter Carly DeMarco. She walked the first batter she faced before surrendering the home run.

UIC (6-16) was on the offensive throughout the contest, but was unable to break the game open, stranding 11 runners on base. Melissa Marinacci led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4, while Nicole Robinson (2-for-3) and Nikki Rogers (2-for-4, RBI) also had multi-hit games for the Flames.

After UIC jumped ahead 2-0 in the second inning on a two-run double by Stephanie Chavez, the Gauchos (15-11) tallied single runs in the second and third inning to even the score.

UC Santa Barbara continued its comeback trend in the fourth and fifth inning, answering a UIC tally in the top half of each inning with one of its own.

The Flames had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the seventh inning, loading the bases with just one out. UIC was unable to capitalize, though, leaving the bags full for the second time in the game.

UIC will be back in action this afternoon at the LMU Tournament, taking on Bucknell at 1 p.m. CST.