Nov. 7, 2011
2012 Schedule 
CHICAGO -UIC head softball coach Michelle Venturella, who is in her fourth season at the helm of the program, announced the 2012 schedule Monday. The squad enters the season after capturing the 2011 Horizon League crown, along with a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Flames look to improve upon their success this season, which is slated to begin Feb. 10 at New Mexico State.
Like most softball teams set in the cold-weather climate, the Flames travel south for the first four weekends of play, beginning with a trip to Las Cruces, N.M. Among the teams set to appear during the Feb. 10-12 weekend, in addition to New Mexico State, Santa Clara, St. Mary's, UTEP, New Mexico State and Venturella's alma mater, Indiana.
The team then travels to Miami, Fla., to Florida International from Feb. 17-19. The field consists of host Florida International, Villanova, Providence, South Carolina and Jacksonville. The following weekend (Feb. 24-26), the squad competes at UC-Riverside. In addition to the Highlanders, South Dakota State will also be present for the weekend of competition.
The Flames begin the month of March (2-4) with their final trip to warmer weather as the squad travels to Orlando, Fla., to UCF. Upon returning to the Midwest, the team takes a weekend off before traveling to Indiana from March 16-18.
On March 21, UIC hits the road for Macomb, Ill., for a game against Western Illinois at 3:00 p.m. (CT). March 24 marks the home and conference opener for the Flames as the reigning tournament champions battle Cleveland State in a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., followed by the final game of the series March 25 at Noon.
Then, newest Flames staff member, Eileen Canney, returns to her alma mater of Northwestern, wearing red and blue as the Flames face the Wildcats at 4:00 p.m. UIC then returns back to Flames Field for back-to-back home games as they face IUPUI in a doubleheader March 31 at Noon and 2:00 p.m., followed by Wisconsin April 3 at 4:30 p.m.
The team then returns to conference play as they face Butler April 6 (4:00 p.m.) and 7 (Noon and 2:00 p.m.) in Indianapolis, Ind. Then the Flames face cross-city Horizon League rival, Loyola, April 11 in a doubleheader (3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.) and 12 at 3:00 p.m.
Just two days later (April 14-15), UIC goes to Detroit, Mich., to play Detroit-Mercy in a doubleheader on the 14th at Noon and 2:00 p.m., followed by a single game the 15th at Noon. On April 18, there is a single game back at Flames Field at 5:00 p.m. against Northern Illinois.
UIC remains at home as they play host to Valparaiso (April 21-22) and Green Bay (April 28-29), both in three-game series that include a doubleheader in the first day of competition. The Flames close out the regular season with Youngstown State April 28-29 at Youngstown State, followed by Wright State May 5-6 at Flames Field. Both series include a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. during the first day, followed by a Noon game the second day of play.
The Horizon League Championship begins May 9 and continues through May 12.
--UIC—
