May 7, 2004

Chicago, Ill. - The good news for the UIC softball team on Thursday might have out-weighed the bad as the Flames secured their first outright Horizon League title since 2000, despite seeing their eight-game winning streak snapped with a 5-4 non-conference loss to Wisconsin.

UIC (32-21), which boasts a 13-1 record in Horizon League play, captured the league crown after Cleveland State (13-6, 25-25) swept a doubleheader at Youngstown State (7-5, 28-18) on Thursday evening, bouncing the Penguins from title contention.

The Flames will now be the top seed in next week's Horizon League Tournament, which will be held at Flames Field, May 13th-15th.

UIC still has three games left on the regular-season slate as they welcome Wright State (2-15, 13-18-1) to the Windy City for a weekend series.

The series opens on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. The Flames will be honoring the 10-year anniversary of their 1994 College World Series team prior to the game. Members of the '94 squad will unveil a new outfield wall banner commemorating the team while former head coach Mike McGovern will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

UIC and Wright State will conclude the regular season with a single game on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Flames will honor their five seniors - Amanda Rivera, Alycia Creese, Alison Aguilar, Emily Stoddard and Andrea Milner, prior to the game.