Box Score May 4, 2016 Final Stats
CHICAGO – Four UIC pitchers combined on a four-hitter in a 5-4 walk-off victory against Northwestern Wednesday night at Granderson Stadium. The win was the third in a row for the Flames (20-23) as they swept the Wildcats, 3-0, in the season series to conclude the non-conference portion of the schedule.
The Flames scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly RBI from Ricardo Ramirez and an Alex Dee RBI single. Reid Birlingmair started and retired the first four batters in a row, three on strikeouts, before losing control in the second inning. The right-hander walked the next two batters and hit a third to load the bases. Northwestern managed one run in the inning on an RBI ground out, however in the very next frame, the Wildcats did more damage by plating three runs to take a 4-2 lead after three innings.
Austin Smith tossed five innings of one run baseball in relief of Birlingmair surrendering all four hits to the Wildcats. Northwestern stranded 10 runners on base, courtesy of six hit batters by the Flames pitching staff.
UIC responded with two runs in the fourth inning to tie the game at 4-4. Conor Philbin led off with a double down the right field line and scored on a single by Cody Bohanek. After stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball, Bohanek scored on a sac fly from Rob Calabrese. Bohanek swiped two bases on the night to remain a perfect 11-11 in stolen base attempts.
After a perfect ninth inning from Trevor Lane where he retired all three batters on comebackers to the mound, the Flames went to work in their half of the inning. Conor Philbin was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Following a sac bunt by Alex Dee to advance Philbin to second base, Cody Bohanek was hit by a pitch putting runners on first and second. A successful double steal moved the runners to second and third with one out. Rob Calabrese was walked intentionally to load the bases for pinch-hitter Gabe Dwyer. Dwyer grounded into a fielder's choice cutting down Philbin at home plate. With two outs and and the bases loaded Brandon Gibis lined the first pitch back through the middle scoring Bohanek from third base for the game winner. Trevor Lane earned his team-leading seventh win. It was the second walk-off victory for the Flames this season and fifth victory in their last at-bat.
UIC will turn its focus to Horizon League play for the rest of the season. With 11 games remaining (seven at home, four on road) including five against conference leader Wright State, the Flames trail by three games in the standings.
The Flames host first-year member Northern Kentucky in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon beginning at 12:05 p.m. CST, followed by a second doubleheader against Youngstown State on Sunday. First pitch slated for 12:05 p.m. CST.
