CHICAGO (3/25/16) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team opened Horizon League play with a tough 2-1 loss to UIC on a crisp Friday afternoon from The Windy City.
The Titans struck first on sophomore
Savvy Ferstle's solo blast in the second inning, but could not push any other runs across as the Flames scored two unanswered and hung on to take game one of the three-game set.
UIC tied the game on a RBI triple by Mitchell in the bottom of the third and took the lead after a passed ball allowed Mitchell to sneak across the plate.
The Flames threatened to extend their lead in the bottom of the sixth with a runner on second, but Detroit's
Cheyenne Willeford made a spectacular catch to rob a homer and keep the Titans within striking distance.
With the heart of the order due up in the seventh, UIC's Elaine Heflin slammed the door with a pair of strikeouts. Heflin picked up the complete game win after allowing a lone run on three hits and 11 strikeouts.
Senior
Christa McGahuey got the start for Detroit and threw a strong game, allowing two hits (one earned) on four hits and four strikeouts.
Ferstle led the offense with two hits in three at bats. Her solo shot in the second inning was her second of the spring. McGahuey added Detroit's only other base runner with a 1-for-3 day at the plate.
The Flames, who were picked to finish first in the HL, improved to 15-10 overall and 1-0 in conference action with the victory. Meanwhile, Detroit falls to 6-22 overall and 0-1 in league play.
Detroit and UIC resume the three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, with game two set for approximately 3 p.m.
