MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman got the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth inning but fell just short, losing to UIC 4-3 at R.OC. Park.


UIC 4, B-CU 3

UIC (9-9-1) broke a scoreless tie in the sixth when Sam Tourtillott worked a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Ari O'Connell followed by launching a two-run homer to left field, giving the Flames a 2-1 advantage.

Bethune-Cookman (4-15) had taken its first lead in the bottom of the fifth. Zariah Billinger tripled to right field and later scored on Aysiah Gonzalez's sacrifice fly to left, putting the Wildcats in front 1-0.

The Flames added two more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on a Bethune-Cookman error. After a hit batter and a fielder's choice, UIC put runners in motion with a double steal. Siena Stickney delivered a two-out, two-run single to left to extend the lead to 4-1. Both runs were unearned.

The Wildcats mounted a final push in the bottom of the seventh.  Kweenkennahlae Tauala doubled to left center and scored on a stolen base attempt by pinch runner Leiya Rojas. Gonzalez added an infield single to bring home another run on Jessica Alaan's groundout, trimming the deficit to 4-3. UIC pitcher Jasmine Whorley retired the final two batters to secure the complete-game victory.

Whorley (7-3) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out two without issuing a walk. Sofia Vollejos-Coleman (0-3) took the loss in relief, allowing four runs, two earned, on three hits across five innings.

Tauala led the Wildcats with a double and a run scored, while Billinger went 2-for-3 with a triple and a run. Stickney drove in two runs for the Flames, and O'Connell's sixth-inning homer proved to be the difference.

B-CU will close out the Make It Happen Games Sunday against Bowling Green and Monmouth, beginning at 9 a.m.
 


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