2008 UIC SOFTBALL SCHEDULE February @ Univ. of San Diego Tournament 9 vs. Stanford L, 5-1 at San Diego W, 9-1 (5) 10 vs. Long Beach State L, 5-4 at San Diego W, 1-0 @ New Mexico State Tournament 15 vs. UT-Arlington L, 3-2 vs. North Dakota State L, 6-3 (5) 16 vs. UT-San Antonio L, 11-3 (6) at New Mexico State L, 7-1 17 vs. Colorado State L, 9-5 @ Hillenbrand Invitational 29 vs. Virginia Tech L, 6-5 vs. New Mexico State W, 4-3 March 1 vs. USF L, 5-2 at Arizona L, 18-3 (5) 2 vs. Iowa State L, 3-1 @ USF Under Armour Invitational 7 vs. Coastal Carolina W, 5-0 8 vs. Baylor L, 7-6 vs. Hofstra L, 2-0 9 vs. Michigan State L, 7-1 vs. East Tenn. State W, 2-0 @ Loyola Marymount Tournament 14 Bucknell W, 3-2 UC Santa Barbara L, 6-3 15 UC Santa Barbara L, 6-4 Bucknell W, 7-0 16 Loyola Marymount L, 2-0 Loyola Marymount L, 2-0 19 CENTRAL MICHIGAN (DH) CANCELED @ Indiana University Classic 21 vs. Louisville 11 a.m. at Indiana 3 p.m. 22 at Indiana 11 a.m. vs. Louisville 1 p.m. 25 ILLINOIS (DH) 4 p.m. 27 NOTRE DAME 7 p.m. 29 at Butler# (DH) 12 p.m. 30 at Butler# 12 p.m. April 2 GREEN BAY # (DH) 4 p.m. 5 at Youngstown State # (DH) 12 p.m. 6 at Youngstown State # 12 p.m. 10 at DePaul 4 p.m. 12 VALPARAISO # (DH) 1 p.m. 13 VALPARAISO # 1 p.m. 16 at Loyola # (DH) 4 p.m. 19 CLEVELAND STATE # (DH) 1 p.m. 20 CLEVELAND STATE # 12 p.m. 22 at Northwestern 4 p.m. 26 at Detroit# (DH) 12 p.m. 27 at Detroit # 12 p.m. 30 DEPAUL 6 p.m. May 3 WRIGHT STATE# (DH) 1 p.m. 4 WRIGHT STATE# 12 p.m. @ 2008 HL Tournament (Loyola Host) 8 First Round TBA 9 Second Round TBA 10 Championship TBA All Times Central Home games in ALL CAPS SOFTBALL FACES LOUISVILLE AND INDIANA AT IU CLASSIC THIS WEEKEND IN BLOOMINGTON TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: The Flames will square off against Louisville and host Indiana in the IU Classic this weekend in Bloomington, Ind. UIC enters the two-day round robin tournament with a.261 team batting average. The Flames have totaled 174 hits, 75 runs, 27 doubles, six home runs and 67 RBI in 25 games. Last year the Flames went 3-2 in the tournament, notching wins over Buffalo (two victories) and Eastern Michigan. GAMETRACKER: Live stats for the IU Classic will be available at www.uicflames.com BURIED BUCKNELL: UIC swept Bucknell last weekend in the Loyola Marymount Tournament in Los Angeles, Calif. The Flames handed the Bison a 3-2 loss to open tournament play on March 14. UIC then shutout Bucknell on March 15 in a 7-0 triumph. Junior Sarah Clynes tossed a one-hitter in that second game and recorded her second shutout of the season. Clynes tied her season-high with seven strikeouts and only walked two batters in 7.0 innings pitched. In those two victories, the Flames recorded a.322 batting average with 10 runs, 19 hits, three doubles and eight RBI. THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA HOME OPENER - FLAMES FIELD Wednesday UIC vs. C. Michigan IU CLASSIC - BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA Canceled Friday UIC vs. Louisville 11 a.m. Bloomington Friday UIC vs. Indiana 3 p.m. Bloomington Saturday UIC vs. Indiana 11 a.m. Bloomington Saturday UIC vs. Louisville 1 p.m. Bloomington THIS WEEK S OPPONENTS LOUISVILLE 2008 Record: 12-11 First meeting INDIANA 2008 Record: 5-17 IU leads the series, 3-7 GOING OUT WITH STYLE: Senior Brittany Dixon has improved is almost every category offensively for UIC this season. In comparison to last season after 25 games, Dixon has improved her batting average by.056 (.213 to.269) totaled six more runs scored and increased her slugging percentage from.280 to.404. A starting fixture for the Flames since her rookie season, Dixon owns 153 career hits and 53 career RBI. MAKING SOME NOISE: Senior Ashlee Ackerman has proved to be a playmaker since her arrival in 2007 after playing two seasons for Arizona Western Community College. The centerfielder received All-Horizon League First Team honors in her first season at UIC with.278 batting average, 25 runs and 13 RBI. Ackerman finished the season with a.337 on-base percentage. This season Ackerman leads the Flames with a.333 batting average. The senior has totaled a team-best 26 hits, ranking first in the league. Ackerman ranks in four league statistical categories. In addition to hits, Ackerman is tied for second in walks (11), ranks second in appearances and is tied for fourth in stolen bases (6). AT THE PLATE: The Flames had six players bat over.300 in the Loyola Marymount Tournament last weekend in Los Angeles. Junior Melissa Marinacci recorded a.400 batting average (5-for-16) with a team-high three doubles. Senior Nicole Robinson (.389) led UIC with seven hits and three RBI. UP NEXT: Due to the cancellation of the doubleheader against Central Michigan on Wed., March 19, UIC s home opener is now set for Tues., March 25 versus Illinois. The doubleheader at Flames Field is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. SCHOOL RECORDS: Junior Sarah Clynes has assumed the role of staff ace since her arrival at UIC and currently ranks in the top 10 in the UIC career record book for complete games (49/7th), innings
2008 STATISTICAL LEADERS Batting Average 1. Ashlee Ackerman....333 2. Sarah Clynes....308 3. Alicia Abbott....286 Runs Scored 1. Sarah Clynes... 14 2. Ashlee Ackerman... 13 3. Brittany Dixon... 12 Doubles 1. Sarah Clynes... 5 Melissa Marinacci... 5 3. Alicia Abbott... 4 Total Bases 1. Sarah Clynes... 38 2. Ashlee Ackerman... 26 Melissa Marinacci... 26 Alicia Abbott... 26 Hits 1. Ashlee Ackerman... 26 2. Sarah Clynes... 24 3. Alicia Abbott... 22 Runs Batted In 1. Sarah Clynes... 11 2. Alicia Abbott... 10 3. Nicole Robinson... 9 Stolen Bases 1. Ashlee Ackerman... 6 2. Brittany Wilson... 3 3. Carly Demarco... 2 Brittany Dixon... 2 On Base Percentage 1. Brittany Dixon....419 2. Ashlee Ackerman....416 3. Brittany Dixon....367 ERA 1. Lauren Brennan... 2.62 2. Carly DeMarco... 2.87 3. Sarah Clynes... 5.19 Wins 1. Sarah Clynes... 4 2. Carly Demarco... 2 3. Lauren Brennan... 1 Innings Pitched 1. Sarah Clynes... 82.1 2. Whitney Orelanna... 38.0 3. Carly Demarco... 31.2 Strikeouts 1. Sarah Clynes... 54 2. Whitney Orellana... 20 3. Carly DeMarco... 12 pitched (489.0/7th) and strikeouts (338/7th). Clynes currently ranks in nine league statistical categories. The pitcher owns first place in appearances (16), innings pitched (82.1) and games started (12). IN THE LEAGUE: Senior Ashlee Ackerman is tied for fourth in the Horizon League with 13 runs scored and six stolen bases. Junior Sarah Clynes is tied for first with five doubles and owns second with 14 runs. Freshman Alicia Abbott leads the league with three sacrifice flies. ON THE AIR: Just launched this season, you can listen to every home game live via the internet by visiting www.uicflames.com. 2007 vs. 2008: Below is a comparison of the 2007 and 2008 squads through 25 games Through 19 games Runs RBI Doubles Batting Average Slug% 2007 75 67 20.231.309 2008 80 67 27.261.328 2008 SEASON-HIGHS: UIC totaled a season-high nine runs and nine RBI in a 9-1 victory over University of San Diego in five innings on Feb. 10. The Flames tallied 12 hits and six doubles against Colorado State on Feb. 17. UIC has totaled two home runs on two occasions. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: Indiana (5-17) - Indiana snapped a six-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over UMass in eight innings on March 15 in the USF Under Armour Showcase. Jenni Huddleston leads the 2008 UIC SOFTBALL ROSTER No. Name Pos. B/T Yr. Hometown/HS/Previous School 1 Carly DeMarco P/UT B/R Fr. New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central 2 Alicia Abbott 1B/UT L/L Fr. New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central 3 Melissa Marinacci IF L/L Jr. Yorba Linda, Calif./Esperanza 5 Brittany Dixon OF L/R Sr. Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg 6 Christie Seddon UT R/R Fr. Shorewood, Ill./Joliet Catholic Academy 8 Whitney Orellana P R/R Fr. Vista, Calif./Mission Hills 9 Ashlee Ackerman OF L/L Sr. Alto Loma, Calif./Arizona Western CC 10 Natalie Wigginton IF R/R Jr. Evergreen Park, Ill./Moraine Valley CC 12 Claire Donyanavard IF R/R Fr. Valencia, Calif./Saugus 13 Mallory Studzinski UT R/R Sr. Lockport, Ill./Lockport 14 Brittany Wilson UT R/R Fr. Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township 15 Brooke Frydendall IF R/R So. Corona, Calif./Corona 17 Stephanie Chavez IF R/R So. Yorba Linda, Calif./Esperanza 18 Haley Brown IF R/R Fr. Olathe, Kan./Olathe East 21 Nicole Robinson IF R/R Sr. Frankfort, Ill./Marian Catholic 22 Sarah Clynes P/IF L/R Jr. Florissant, Mo./St. Joseph s Academy 23 Lauren Goode IF R/R Fr. Chicago, Ill./Joliet 24 Lauren Brennan P/IF R/R Sr. Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg 55 Nikki Rogers UT R/R Sr. Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Co-Head Coaches: Tom Gray and Sarah O Malley-Fisher (Seventh Year) Assistant Coach: Alison Aguilar Haehnel (Second Year) Athletic Trainer: Noreen Karadsheh PRONUNCIATIONS: Stephanie Chavez CHA-vez Brooke Frydendall FRY-den-doll Melissa Marinacci Merry-NAW-chee Mallory Studzinski Stud-ZIN-ski Christie Seddon Sa-DON Whitney Orellana Or-e-ON-a Claire Donyanavard Don-YON-a-vard Lauren Goode GOOD-e
squad with a.338 batting average. Huddleston has amassed 22 hits, three doubles, two triples and seven RBI in 22 games. Louisville (12-11) - Louisville is coming off consecutive victories over Minnesota at home on March 17. Melissa Roth leads the Cardinals at the plate with a.417 batting average. Roth owns a team-high 19 runs, 30 hits, 12 doubles and two triples. Kristen Wadwell paces Louisville in the circle with six wins, two shutouts and 64 strikeouts in 86.2 innings pitched. VERSUS CONFERENCES: UIC is 53-69 all-time versus BIG EAST opponents (Louisville) and 39-50 against Big 10 foes (Indiana). USF UNDER ARMOUR INVITATIONAL: UIC went 2-5 at the USF Under Armour Invitational in Clearwater, Florida on March 6-9 with victories over Coastal Carolina and East Tennessee State. Senior Ashlee Ackerman was 6-for-15 (.400) at the plate with a team-high four runs scored. Freshman Alicia Abbott batted.333 on the weekend with two RBI and one stolen base. Senior Brittany Dixon and junior Sarah Clynes each notched a homer versus ETSU. Clynes was 2-1 in the circle with nine strikeouts in 18.0 innings pitched. The junior also picked up her first shutout of the season in a 2-0 victory over ETSU. UIC SIGNEES: UIC softball signed Melinda Macias (Chino, Calif./Don Antonio Lugo), Ashley Hewett (La Palma, Calif./John F. Kennedy) and Shannon Kehr (Petaluma,Calif./Petaluma) to National Letters of Intent to play for the Flames in 2009. LEAGUE PRESEASON: The UIC softball team was picked to finish second in the 2008 Horizon League preseason poll. Voted on by the league s head coaches, the Flames received two of eight first-place votes. 2007 Horizon League Regular Season champion Loyola was notched to finish first with 60 points and five of eight first-place votes. UIC was close behind in second with two first-place votes (53 points), followed by 2007 tournament champion Wright State with the final two first-place votes (50 points). Cleveland State earned fourth (41), while Valparaiso (35) and Butler (34) tabbed the fifth and sixth spot. Youngstown State (22), Green Bay (18) and Detroit (11) rounded out the final spots in the poll. 2008 HORIZON LEAGUE STANDINGS ---Horizon League-- ------Overall------- Team W L Pct. W L Pct. 1. Cleveland State - - - 10 5.667 2. Valparaiso - - - 11 6.647 3. Butler - - - 8 7.533 4. Green Bay - - - 5 8.273 5. Wright State - - - 7 12.368 6. Detroit - - - 5 10.333 7. Loyola - - - 5 10.333 8. UIC - - - 7 18.280 9. Youngstown State - - - 0 7.000 2007 REGULAR SEASON CHAMPION: Loyola 2007 HORIZON LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION: Wright State QUICK FACTS GENERAL INFORMATION Location... Chicago, Ill. Founded... 1896 Enrollment... 24,541 Interim Chancellor...Eric Gislason Athletics Director... James W. Schmidt Conference...Horizon League Stadium... Flames Field (500) Athletic Dept. Phone...(312) 996-2772 Athletics Web Site... uicflames.com COACHING STAFF Co-Head Coach...Tom Gray Alma Mater (Yr.)... Cal St.-Northridge ( 86) Co-Head Coach... Sarah O Malley-Fisher Alma Mater (Yr.)...UIC ( 95) Record at UIC (Yrs.)...192-175 (6 yrs.) Career Record5(Yrs.)...Same Assistant Coach...Alison Aguilar Haehnel Alma Mater (Yr.)...UIC ( 04) Softball Office Phone...(312) 413-5305 Softball Fax...(312) 996-8349 TEAM INFORMATION 2007 Overall Record...20-33 2007 Horizon League Record...8-7 2007 League Finish... Fourth (Regular-Season) Letterwinners Returning... 10 Letterwinners Lost... 3 Newcomers... 9 Starters Returning/Lost... 8/1 UIC HISTORY League Championships... 10 NCAA Appearances... 8 College World Series Appearances...1 ( 94) MEDIA RELATIONS SID (Softball Contact)... Beth Usewicz SID Phone...(312) 996-5881 SID Fax...(312) 996-8349 SID E-Mail...bethu@uic.edu