Illinois-Chicago softball pitchers Leigh Podlesny, Michelle Coleman and Jen Banas got plenty of rest last week. Good thing, too. Because this week they`ll be firing softballs toward the plate like three automatic pitching machines stuck on ”on.”
With every single UIC game washed out last week by the rain, the Flames
(21-6, 2-0) will try to make up lost ground by playing double-headers Tuesday at Northeastern Illinois, Wednesday against St. Xavier, Thursday at Wisconsin-Parkside, Friday vs. Loyola, Saturday vs. Northern Illinois and Sunday at Wisconsin-Green Bay. Then UIC coach Mike McGovern will give the Flames next Monday off before they play host to Northwestern April 28 for another double-header. Grand total: 14 games in eight days.
The baseball team fared a bit better last week, squeezing in five of 10 scheduled contests, pounding Northwestern 11-5, sweeping Valparaiso 2-1 and 6-2 but losing a double-header to Eastern Illinois 5-2 and 9-0. Pitcher Jon Piazza got credit for his first collegiate victory in the game against NU. Mike Petak slugged his first home run of the season in Game 1 against EIU.
The men`s tennis team (8-8) will try to improve on last year`s sixth-place finish at Friday and Saturday`s Mid-Continent Conference tournament at Northern Illinois. John Chun improved his record to 12-4 last week with two victories.