Box Score April 22, 2016 Final Stats
CHICAGO - UIC (16-20, 8-5 HL) had multiple opportunities to sweep a doubleheader from Valparaiso (15-18, 8-5 HL) on Friday afternoon but settled for a split at Curtis Granderson Stadium. The Flames won the opener 5-3 but fell 5-2 in the second game. With the split UIC and Valparaiso remain tied for second place in the Horizon League standings.
Game 1: UIC 5, Valparaiso 3
From the onset it didn't look good for the Flames as they found themselves in a 3-0 hole after two innings. UIC stranded runners in scoring position in the first and second innings. The Flames closed the gap to 3-2 in the third inning on a two-run double by Brandon Gibis. Right-hander Connor Ryan wasn't sharp yet he battled through six innings, allowing three runs on five hits to post a quality start. In the sixth inning UIC received a boost from Ricardo Ramirez with a lead-off home run to right field, his sixth of the season, tying the game at 3-3. The Flames added two runs in the eighth inning on back-to-back doubles from Scott Ota and Ramirez and a sac fly RBI from Gibis. Reliever Trevor Lane pitched the final three innings, striking out six batters along the way for the victory. It was the second straight come-from-behind win for the Flames when trailing after five innings.
Game 2: Valparaiso 5, UIC 2
The Flames managed just one hit through 6.2 innings off Valparaiso starter Mario Losi squandering bases loaded opportunities in the third, seventh and ninth innings in the 5-2 loss. UIC got on the board in the third on a bases loaded one-out walk from Scott Ota. The next two batters Ricardo Ramirez and Conor Philbin struck out to end the rally. Valparaiso responded with two runs in the fourth inning off Flames starter Jake Dahlberg (4-7) to take a 2-1 lead. Dahlberg allowed three hits in 6.0 IP and struck out six batters in defeat. Valparaiso added three more runs in the seventh inning off UIC reliever Mitchell Schulewitz, who did not retire a batter. UIC had a chance to tie or take the lead in their half of the inning but left the bases loaded. In the ninth inning the Flames got the first three aboard and plated one run after Tyler Murphy was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. With none out and the bases packed, the next three batters - David Cronin, Scott Ota and Ricardo Ramirez went down in order.
After a day off tomorrow UIC will travel to Milwaukee on Sunday for their second doubleheader in three days. First pitch is slated for noon CST.
