CHICAGO, Ill. – After a midweek doubleheader against St. Thomas, the Green Bay softball team returned to league play today with a doubleheader at UIC. The Phoenix took game one by a score of 9-2 before falling in game two, 3-1. GB has won eight of their last 11 games.

GAME 1 | Green Bay 9, UIC 2

The Phoenix got on the board first in the second inning. Senior Isabella Curtin's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Green Bay.

The Flames failed to push any runs across before the Phoenix offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. The Green Bay offense exploded for four runs in the third, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of junior Randi McKay, which brought the score to 6-0.

GB scored another before the Flames fought back, closing the gap to 7-2 until Green Bay added some insurance in the fifth. The Phoenix brought across two runs, scoring once on a solo shot from sophomore Jadin Justman, bringing the score to 9-2 in favor of Green Bay. The score remained 9-2 for the rest of the game, as the Phoenix coasted to the win.

Senior Brittany Baneck (7-7) started in the circle and picked up the win for Green Bay. She went seven innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits, allowing one walk, and striking out six.

Justman led the way offensively for the Phoenix, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run, a walk, and an RBI. McKay had a standout performance as well, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Senior Alyssa Brewer also chipped in, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and an RBI.

GAME NOTES

 » Every Green Bay starter reached base safely.
 » Four Phoenix had multiple hits in the ballgame.
 » The Phoenix out-hit the Flames at a 10-4 clip.
 » Green Bay pitchers limited UIC to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
 » The Phoenix drew seven walks from UIC pitching.
 » UIC was led offensively by sophomore Dee Dee Caskey, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
 » Sophomore Miranda Gomez led the Flames pitching staff, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings.

GAME 2 | UIC 3, Green Bay 1

UIC jumped out to an early lead in the first after a solo homer from Tara McElligott. The Flames added two more insurance runs in the third to grab a 3-0 lead. Green Bay's only runs of the game came in the fourth inning when graduate student Alicia Peters drove home sophomore Samantha Saloun. GB was unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

Freshman Abigail Gawlinski (6-4) got the ball to start for Green Bay and took the loss. Senior Lauren King was a bright spot for the Phoenix, coming out of the bullpen and throwing 3.1 shutout innings, allowing three hits.

In the batter's box, the Phoenix was paced by Saloun, who went 2-for-2 in game two with a double and a walk. Sophomore Gracie Peterson put together a standout performance as well, going 1-for-1 with a double.

GAME NOTES

 » Green Bay pitchers limited UIC to just 2-for-10 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
 » The Phoenix drew four walks from UIC pitching.
 » UIC was led offensively by senior Tara McElligott, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI.
 » Junior Carlee Jo Clark led the Flames pitching staff, throwing seven innings of one-run ball.

COMING UP

The Phoenix and Flames will play the rubber match of their three-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m. Following, GB will head to St. Paul, Minn. on Wednesday for another doubleheader against St. Thomas.

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---GreenBayPhoenix.com---