GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Illinois Chicago (UIC) got the best of Lafayette in a pitchers' duel, capturing a 3-1 win over the Leopards in the first of two games on Saturday at the University of Florida T-Mobile Tournament.
 
UIC plated single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, scoring on a bases-loaded fielder's choice, an error and a sac fly off Lafayette starter Kailee Sawai.
 
The Leopards got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sabina Lehnert drove in the first run of her collegiate career, plating Olivia Catalina, who started things with a lead-off single. The inning ended when Lehnert was thrown out at the plate, attempting to score on a Kylee Sweet single.
 
The Leopards' offense was held at bay the last two innings by UIC starter Carlee Jo Clark who scattered four hits over seven innings for the win. Jacqueline Cal threw the final two innings of the game, allowing one hit against the six batters she faced.
 
In the night cap, Lafayette could never get things going against No. 14 Florida, as Olivia Miller threw a six-inning no hitter in an 8-0 final.
 
The game was tight through the first four innings. Leopard starter Morrigan Gardiner held the Gators to just an unearned run in the third inning.
 
Leading 1-0, the hosts broke open the game with four runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth to put it away. Sklyar Wallace (2-for-3) drove in three runs.
 
Lafayette will close out the T-Mobile Tournament on Sunday, facing Colgate at 9 a.m.