By: Stephen Wagner
CHICAGO, Ill. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay softball team (11-16, 4-4) played a make-up doubleheader in Chicago, Ill., against UIC (15-14, 6-2) at Flames field this afternoon. Green Bay had positive takeaways in both games but found itself on the losing end of each contest. The first game went in the favor of the Flames 7-4, while the second win was garnered by a margin of 5-2.
UIC 7, Green Bay 4
After two scoreless innings to start things off from both teams, the Phoenix managed to put one run on the board in the third after Allie Hislope garnered a walk with the bases loaded to score Hailey Mohrfeld.
The Phoenix lead did not last long; as UIC would go on to score two runs in the bottom of the inning from a two RBI single that touched down in left field to bring in Cairns and Hampton. The Flames would also add one run in the fourth inning after back-to-back doubles from Swan and Hampton, increasing its lead to two runs heading into the top of the fifth.
The Flames took control of the game in the fifth inning, scoring four runs off of three singles, one double and a two RBI triple from Mener.
The Phoenix made an attempt to rally in the sixth and seventh inning, with Allie Taylor and Alyssa Johnson each picking up RBIs in the sixth inning, and Mohrfeld reaching home on a throwing error in the final inning before falling to the Flames 7-4.
Heather Sanderson (4-5) got the start in game one for Green Bay, allowed four hits, gave up three runs and fanned four batters in 3.2 innings of work. Briana Cavin came on in relief of Sanderson and spent 2.1 innings in the circle, allowed six hits, four runs and struck out one batter.
UIC 5, Green Bay 2
The Flames wasted no time getting the offense rolling in game two, scoring two runs in the first inning off of three hits and a Phoenix error.
The Phoenix was able to hold UIC scoreless for the next three innings, adding a run of its own in the fourth inning to lower the deficit to one run. The Phoenix run was scored off of an RBI double turned in by Katelyn Huemmer that brought Abby Brinkmeier in from second.
Green Bay loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning after a pair of singles from Kelli Hutchinson and Hailey Mohrfeld, as well as a walk from Miranda Spangberg. With three runners on and two outs in the inning, Brinkmeier stepped up to the plate for Green Bay and sent one into center field for a single, scoring Hutchinson from third to tie the game at 2-2.
The Flames immediately regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring one run after Polites hit a triple to left and Mack-Miller followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to bring her home and pick up the RBI.
UIC added a couple insurance runs in the sixth in to bring its tally to five runs before heading into the final inning. The Phoenix made things interesting in the top of the seventh by loading the bases but was unable to convert base runners into runs in its rally attempt, falling to the Flames 5-2 in game two of the doubleheader.
Brinkmeier collected three hits and an RBI in four at-bats in game two, while Huemmer and Morhfeld were each 2-for-4 in their game two plate appearances.
Hailey McDermott received the nod in game two, allowing seven hits, five runs and striking out one batter in 5.1 innings in the cirle.
The Phoenix will be back in action this weekend at Phoenix Field, as Green Bay welcomes Wright State for a three-game series starting on Friday, April 10 at 3 p.m. The Phoenix will then play a doubleheader against the Raiders on Saturday, with games slated for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
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