ROSEMONT, Ill. – It was another memorable day for the UIC softball team Saturday as it secured two victories to remain a perfect 4-0 to start the season for the first time since 1996. The Flames first claimed a 9-2 win over Fort Wayne and then went on to best Western Illinois, 6-4, inside the Dome at the Total Control Sports Invitational.
 
The Flames combined for 21 hits on the day, led by Tiana Mack-Miller (5), Jasmine Willis (5) and Lexi Watts (4), and had seven of the shots come as four doubles and three triples. The team additionally racked up 12 RBI, with three apiece for Willis, Kayla Wedl and Alice Fitzpatrick.
 
UIC will close out opening weekend competition on Sunday when it faces Butler at 11 a.m. CT.
 
UIC 9, Fort Wayne 2
 
UIC acquired more than 10 hits for the first time this season as it owned 11 tallies and had four come as extra-base efforts. Watts led the team with three hits, followed by Mack-Miller and Willis with two each. The trio additionally earned RBI along with Fitzpatrick.
 
Allie Trudeau earned her first collegiate start and went six innings as she struck out four, walked three and allowed just five hits. Lindsay Melson came in to pitch the final frame and walked one batter.
 
Fort Wayne tried to put the first run on the board in the top of the second as it loaded the bases but the Flames were able to get out of the jam unharmed.
 
After a stagnant first two innings, UIC came out in the bottom of the third to plate two runs. Mack-Miller drew a one-out walk, stole second and then rounded the bases to score as Watts laid down a bunt single and the Mastodons committed a throwing error, putting Watts at third. In the next at-bat, a passed ball allowed Watts to come in for the 2-0 lead.
 
The Flames turned out a four-run fourth to carry a 6-0 advantage. With one out, Savannah Soppet singled and Emily Wetzel doubled before both scored on Fitzpatrick's first-career triple. She then came in on an infield single for Mack-Miller, who scored on Watts' second triple of the season.
 
Fort Wayne scored the first runs on UIC this season in the top of the sixth, when Caitlyn DeLong led off with a triple and Sierra Miranda brought her in with a double, as the final run scored on a groundout.
 
UIC did not let the runs hurt it when it responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning.Jennah Speth drew a two-out walk and moved up on a single by Mack-Miller. Watts was safe with a bunt single, but the Mastodons committed an error that allowed Speth to score. The final two runs came in when Willis hit a two RBI single to center.
 
UIC 6, Western Illinois 4
 
UIC worked up a 6-1 lead heading into the seventh but Western Illinois attempted a comeback as it scored three runs before the Flames eventually took the game. UIC had a 10-hit turnout at the plate, controlled by Mack-Miller and Willis with three hits apiece, while Wedl tabbed three of the team's six RBI.
 
Karissa Frazier pitched a complete six innings and reentered with two outs in the seventh to collect her second win of the young season, striking out three and allowing five hits in the process. Speth made her first collegiate appearance in the circle in the seventh and struck out one of six batters faced.
 
WIU jumped ahead to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning after Nina Maggio drew a walk, stole second and came in to score on a single to right by Kelsey Marlow.
 
The Flames tied it up in the bottom of the second when Soppet singled, advanced on a passed ball and scored on a single to center by Fitzpatrick.
 
UIC took the lead in the bottom of the third as it scored three runs. Watts reached on a fielder's choice and Willis followed with an infield single that moved each runner up a base due to a no throw. Wedl then ripped her third triple of the tournament to right center, scoring two, before she came in on a sacrifice fly from Taylor Cairns.
 
After WIU left the bases loaded in top four, the Flames added to their total in the bottom of the fifth to go up 6-1. Mack-Miller and Watts hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning before Willis hit a ground-rule double to center to plate one run. Wedl then sent the ball to right field for a sacrifice fly, bringing in Watts for the final run for UIC.
 
The Leathernecks threatened in the top of the seventh as the leadoff batter walked and scored on a double to left center by Maggio. A single by Holly Hoelting then brought in another run before an error and a single loaded the bases and the final run for WIU was walked in.