Softball picks up wins at tournament

Freshman Lexi Watts had a multi-hit game Sunday versus UConn. — Photo: Steve Woltmann

Senior Laura Swan stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on and blasted the ball to center field to plate the game-winning run and give the UIC softball team (7-8) a 3-2 walkoff victory over UConn (3-11) Sunday at SCU Softball Field. The win allowed the Flames to close out the SCU Invitational with a 3-2 record.

UIC tallied seven hits with multi-hit efforts from Swan and freshman Lexi Watts, who recorded her fourth multi-hit game of the weekend. Sophomore Taylor Cairns and seniors Dana Capocci and LaRi Mitchell also added to the total.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Watts dropped a single to left field, then moved up to third on a double by Swan. Freshman Skylee James stepped to the plate and sent a fly ball into foul territory, allowing Watts to score.

UConn tied the score at 1-1 in the second.

Cairns led off the third with a walk, stole second and went to third on a liner off the pitcher by Watts, who then stole second. Two outs came before Capocci stepped to the plate and dropped an infield single to bring in Cairns.

The Huskies tied the score for a second time in the fifth.

Mitchell led off in the bottom of the seventh with a single, then advanced to third as Cairns laid down the sacrifice bunt but reached on a UConn error that put her on second. With two outs, Swan came to bat and belted the ball into center field, allowing Mitchell to score the game-winning run.

Junior Elaine Heflin started her third game of the tournament and pitched five innings, struck out three, allowed no walks and gave up six hits. Redshirt-freshman Karissa Frazier entered at the start of the sixth and picked up her first win of the season as she did not give up a hit and struck out three in two frames.

The Flames are back in California this weekend for the San Diego Classic, co-hosted by San Diego and San Diego State.