Box Score

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The UIC softball team (3-2) fought back from a 5-0 deficit to capture a 6-5 victory against Central Michigan (0-4) on Sunday in the final day of the Total Control Sports Invitational at the Dome. The Flames' 3-2 record is the best five-game start for the program since the 2011 season.

UIC scored one run in the fifth and three in the sixth to come within one of the Chippewas. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Flames loaded the bases and scored on a CMU error to tie the ball game before junior LaRi Mitchell beat out the throw at first to plate the game-winning run.

"Today was a great day overall for a team win," head coach Michelle Venturella said. "When you look at the lineup, one through nine, every person contributed, whether they actually moved a runner or got the hit we needed to score runs. I was really impressed with the team playing pitch-to-pitch and staying in the moment, and our dugout was on it anytime that they could help. I'm really proud of them for coming back, staying strong and getting the win against a solid team."

UIC drew contributions from all aspects of its lineup, with junior Dana Capocci leading the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate and Mitchell adding three hits in four at-bats in addition to securing her sixth stolen base of the season.

Central Michigan picked up an early run in the first when Chelsea DeLamielleure tripled and came in to score on a single by Trista Cox. The Flames tried to answer in the bottom of the inning with the bases loaded following walks for Mitchell and senior Erica Hampton and a single by freshman Tiana Mack-Miller, but a ground out ended the inning.

With a runner on and two outs in the second, the Chippewas' Lacy Tolfree tripled to score one and then came in on an error committed by UIC to go up 3-0. CMU added another in the third, when Maison Kalina singled to bring in a runner from second, and in the fifth as a runner came in following back-to-back singles.

UIC added its first run in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman Taylor Cairns and Mitchell led off the inning with back-to-back singles and each advanced a base on a sac bunt by senior Paige Peterson. Junior Laura Swan then came through with an RBI single to center to bring in Cairns.

The Flames loaded the bases in the sixth with one out following a walk to sophomore Kaleigh Nagle, single by Capocci and walk to Cairns. Mitchell then shot the ball just over the glove of the third baseman, allowing Nagle to score. Peterson picked up an RBI in the next at-bat after earning a walk and Swan brought in her second run of the game on a fielder's choice play, placing the score at 5-4.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh, Hampton led off with a walk, but two outs quickly followed. Capocci stepped to the plate and singled to center putting runners at first and second. Cairns was able to keep the game alive as she reached base on a CMU throwing error that put her at second, Capocci at third and Hampton across the plate. Tied at 5-5, Mitchell hit the ball to the shortstop and beat out the throw at first as Capocci scored the game-winning run at home.

Junior Bridget Boyle started on the mound for UIC and pitched two innings before freshman Karissa Frazier finished the final five frames with three strikeouts, bringing her season total to 14, and improved her record to 2-0.

The Flames will take a short break from competition before heading to Santa Clara, Calif., for the SCU Bronco Classic (Feb. 20-22) to take on San Jose State, host Santa Clara and Idaho State.