Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
UIC
'Cats Douse Flames, 3-2
4/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 15, 2003
CHICAGO, Ill. - For the second time this season, the Illinois-Chicago softball team pushed Northwestern to the limit, but for the second time the Wildcats held off a late charge by the Flames to pull out the win. Brie Brown (Nashville, Tenn./Harpeth Hall) tied a career-high with eight strikeouts and Courtnay Foster (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) pitched the final 2/3 of an inning to pick up her third save as NU defeated UIC 3-2.
UIC (14-29, 6-2 Horizon) had runners at first and third with only one out in the bottom of the seventh, when Foster came on to relieve Brown (6-1). Foster got Sara Hernandez to popout to Carri Leto (El Cajon, Calif./Valhalla) at second base, before hitting Amanda Rivera to load the bases. But Foster got Alycia Creese to ground out to Leto to extinguish the Flames' chances.
NU (25-12, 6-6 Big Ten) held off the Flames back on April 2, 5-4, when the 'Cats threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the seventh inning and stranded a baserunner at third to end the game.
The Wildcats continued to struggle to find the clutch hit, leaving nine runners on base, including eight in scoring position.
"Offensively, we're getting the clutch hits for runs one, two and three, but not for four, five and six," Northwestern head coach Kate Drohan said. "I think Brie did a good job of pitching outs. However, our defense struggled to execute at times."
The Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. With one out, Leto and Brett Nakabayashi (Irvine, Calif./Irvine) recorded back-to-back singles. Erin Mobley (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill), who went 3-for-4 on the day, then reached on an error to load the bases. Cindy Muran (Newbury Park, Calif./Newbury Park) followed with a two-run single up the middle.
UIC touched Brown for one run in the bottom of the third, before the 'Cats answered back with a run of their half of the fourth, using a two-out rally. Jessie Wellnitz (Waterloo, Iowa/East) was able to leg out a bunt single and then stole second. Leadoff hitter Leto followed with a double to left-center, pushing NU's lead back to two at 3-1.
The Flames cut Northwestern's lead back to one with a run in the bottom of the fifth, but Brown stranded runners at first and second to prevent any further damage.
"UIC played hard today," Drohan said. "Their pitchers did a real good job of hitting their spots."
In addition to Mobley's three-hit day, Leto and Nakabayashi also had multi-hit performances, recording two apiece. The Wildcats outhit UIC 9-6, but the Flames stranded nine baserunners of their own.
Northwestern returns to action at 3 p.m. Friday when it hosts Wisconsin. The 'Cats also host the Badgers at noon on Saturday, before welcoming Minnesota for a noon doubleheader Sunday.
"I'm counting on our veterans to lead the way and make some big plays," Drohan said.
