BOX SCORE

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- The UIC baseball team (17-14-1, 12-4 HL) earned a convincing 12-3 series-opening win at Valparaiso (13-19, 9-6 HL) on Friday afternoon as the Flames remain in first place in the Horizon League standings. Redshirt junior Conor Philbin led UIC at the plate by going 4-for-4 and added a career-high three runs, while ace pitcher Jake Dahlberg tossed an efficient eight innings and improved to 5-2 on the mound this season.

Dahlberg allowed a mere six hits and two earned runs, while striking out five Valpo batters. During his last 48 innings over six starts, Dahlberg has allowed just eight earned runs.

Philbin improved his season batting average from .295 to .329 as he tied a career-best with four hits. Seniors Tyler Detmer and Jeff Boehm and redshirt freshman David Cronin posted two hits apiece.

The Flames jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. Redshirt senior Alex Lee plated the first run with an RBI-groundout that scored Boehm and then redshirt freshman Gabe Dwyer drove in Philbin with a single to left field.

UIC's advantage remained at 2-0 until the fifth inning when they exploded for five runs. Detmer kicked things off with a double to right center and then Boehm joined him on base after a hit by pitch. Sophomore Mickey McDonald sent both runners across the dish with a double down the right field line and then McDonald scored after Philbin ripped a single up the middle. Lee eventually plated Philbin on a one-baser to right field and then senior Carl Sugihara capped the fifth frame with a single to center that drove in Lee to give UIC a 7-0 lead.

Valpo cut the Flames' lead down to 7-2 with a pair of runs in the seventh inning.

UIC put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth with a five-spot that made the tally 12-2. Redshirt senior Zenon Kolakowsi highlighted the frame with a two RBI-double down the left field line that plated Philbin and Boehm.

Action will conclude on Saturday as a doubleheader has been scheduled to being at 11 a.m. CT.