May 3, 2009

Box Score

Milwaukee, Wis. - After knocking off the Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons 4-0 to force a final game to decide the 2009 Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) Tournament Championship, the Stars carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth before surrendering four runs to fall 5-3 and close out the 2009 campaign with an overall record of 30-14.

The Stars scored an unearned run in the top of the first as Megan Day (Zionsville, IN) reached on a two-base error. After a wild pitch put Day on third base, Lea Marzolo (Fairview, MI) singled home Day for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

Freshman ace Jori Cicale (Steger, IL) allowed the Falcons to even the score in the bottom of the first, surrendering one run on three hits but stranded runners on second and third with a pair of strikeouts to end the frame.

The Stars struck back in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead as sophomore Katie Jensen (Des Plaines, IL) blasted a solo home run to center field. The blast was Jensen's third of the tournament and her sixth of the season.

The score remained 2-1 into the top of the fifth when the Stars added a run as Megan Day leadoff of the inning with a double to right center. Day later scored on a groundout by slugger Carolyn Rogers (Moline, IL).

The Falcons promptly scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull ahead of the Stars 5-3. The big blast of the inning was a two-out, two-RBI double that put Concordia Wisconsin ahead 4-3.

The Stars went down in order in both the sixth and seventh innings to drop the ballgame.

Freshman Jori Cicale (Steger, IL) took the loss for Dominican, falling to 16-7 on the season. Cicale allowed five runs on 12 hits while striking out five as she went the distance.