April 20, 2012

CHICAGO - The UIC softball team (19-22/5-6 Horizon) plays host to Valparaiso in a doubleheader Saturday, followed by a single game Sunday at Flames Field in Chicago, Ill.

FLAMES VIDEOS

Be sure to check out head coach Michelle Venturella's newest video as she discusses the upcoming games, and gives an overview of the Flames team.

LAST TIME OUT

The Flames defeated Northern Illinois, 6-1 Wednesday in their final non-conference game of the season … Ashley Hewett led UIC to the victory to improve the Flames' series record with the Huskies to 26-21.

HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON PICK

A 2012 Horizon League Tournament championship gave the Flames their first NCAA berth since 2004. UIC concluded the 2011 season with the top fielding percentage in the league, .968 percent. Schmit tied for third place in homeruns with 10, while Miller blanked 227 batters to finish third in strikeouts.

2011 HORIZON LEAGUE HONORS - SCHMIT & HERNANDEZ

Schmit was a postseason first-team all-Horizon League honoree as she had a league-best slugging percentage of .800, while also leading the Flames in homeruns with six. The first baseman logged 16 RBI in 20 League contests, and concluded the season with a .315 batting average. Hernandez garnered 2011 postseason all-second and all-newcomer Horizon League honors after the shortstop posted a .349 batting average, while committing only four errors on the season. She added nine RBI, three homeruns and a triple during her rookie season.

Follow UICSoftball on Twitter, Facebook and live stats through the link, which can be accessed through the softball schedule.

--UIC—