CHICAGO – For the second game in a row, the UIC softball team (16-15, 3-0 HL) walked away after five innings with a win as it scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth Saturday to run rule Cleveland State (2-28, 0-3 HL), 9-1, for the series sweep at Flames Field.
 
The Flames produced nine hits and were led by perfect plate appearances from Savannah Soppet (3-for-3) and Lexi Watts (2-for-2), while Jasmine Willis added two hits and plated the game-winning run with a team-high three RBI on the day. Soppet and Watts also drove in runs as they collected two RBI apiece.
 
Allie Trudeau improved her record to 4-2 on the year as she threw three complete innings, struck out four, walked two and allowed just two hits in the game. Karissa Frazier tossed the final two frames as she entered in the fourth with the bases loaded.
 
UIC got off to a good start as Watts singled and Willis walked in the first before a fielder's choice put runners at the corners with one out. Tiana Mack-Miller then stole second, but the ball went into the outfield on the throwdown and Watts was able to score. The bases were loaded as Jennah Speth walked and Kayla Wedl singled before Soppet singled into right center and plated two runs for the 3-0 lead.
 
Taylor Cairns stepped to the plate with one out in the second and walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before she scored on a single up the middle from Watts. After Watts stole second, she scored as Willis sent the ball down the left field line. Willis came across the plate on a single for Mack-Miller and the Flames then loaded the bases on a walk for Speth and single for Soppet but left the runners on base.
 
Cleveland State put up its biggest threat of the game in the top of the fourth as it loaded the bases with no outs off a single and two walks, and scored one on a groundout. However, the Flames turned a double play in the next at-bat to end the frame with the 6-1 lead.
 
After leaving the bases empty in the third and fourth, UIC came out in the fifth to load the bases as Soppet singled, Fitzpatrick walked and Cairns was hit by a pitch. Watts drew a four-pitch walk to score one and then Willis ended the game by hitting a single into left to bring two runs across the dish.
 
The Flames will take a short break from conference play as they are set for a midweek matchup against Northwestern on Wednesday. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. CT at Drysdale Field in Evanston, Ill.