CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (5-0) will embark on its first trip of the season when it heads to Mount Pleasant, S.C., to compete in the Wyndham Garden Cougar Classic, hosted by College of Charleston at Patriots Point. Competition is slated to run Friday and Saturday with the Flames set to go up against Monmouth (0-0), Lipscomb (2-3), Winthrop (1-4) and Eastern Kentucky (0-0).
 
For the first time in 21 years, UIC holds a perfect 5-0 record to start the season after sweeping its opponents at the Total Control Sports Invitational in Rosemont, Ill. (Feb. 10-12). The Flames took wins over IUPUI, 2-0, Miami Ohio, 8-0 (6), Fort Wayne, 9-2, Western Illinois, 6-4, and Butler, 10-0 (5).
 
UIC hit an impressive .392 in the tournament to rank 11th nationally and held opponents to a .192 batting average. Of the 47 hits collected, 16 came as extra-base attempts with 10 doubles and six triples to aid in a .575 slugging percentage, which ranks 19th in the nation. With an average 1.2 triples per game, the Flames hold the second-best average among Division I programs.
 
Seven players hit above .300 and were led by Lexi Watts (.688), Kayla Wedl (.538), Tiana Mack-Miller (.429) and Jasmine Willis (.400). While Watts owns the 10th best batting average in the nation, she produced 11 hits, followed by Wedl with 7, as the pair combined for four doubles and five triples. Wedl garnered the honor of Horizon League Player of the Week as she also put up six RBI and a 1.231 slugging percentage, as her three triples are the most of any Division I player.
 
The UIC pitching staff was strong in the circle and garnered a collective 1.09 earned-run average while limiting the opposition to 23 hits. Elaine Heflin picked up the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week nod after throwing two complete-game shutouts for a 0.00 ERA and striking out 16 batters with just nine hits allowed. Heflin and Karissa Frazier each posted 2-0 records while Allie Trudeau collected the final win.
 
Monmouth will play its first games of the season this weekend as it is coming off a 29-21 2016 campaign that featured an appearance in the championship game of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament. The Hawks return nine total letterwinners and seven starters, including Preseason All-MAAC selections Justene Reyes and Amanda Riley. UIC and Monmouth have met just once before in 2015, when the Flames came away with a 4-3 win.
 
Lipscomb turned out a 2-3 performance during opening weekend at the Unconquered Invitational in Tallahasee, Fla., with a pair of wins over Furman. The Lady Bisons' offense has been led by Kasey Gibson (.417) and Caitlin Plocheck (.400) as they have contributed 11 of the team's 26 hits. Pitcher Jordan Mandy has controlled the circle with a 2-1 record, 1.57 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 22.1 innings. Friday's matchup will be the first-ever meeting between UIC and Lipscomb.
 
Winthrop opened its season with a 1-4 output at the Red and Black Showcase in Athens, Ga., where it had its lone win come against East Carolina. Five player have collected at least five hits with Paige Haley (.400) and Shayna Covington (.353) leading the group in averages. Kiley Majette has thrown 19.2 innings and struck out 16 batters for a 4.98 ERA, while Keleigh Romine owns the one win on the year and a 4.90 ERA. While the Flames own a 2-0 all-time record against the Eagles, the teams have not met since 1999.
 
Eastern Kentucky will take the field for the first time this weekend after it produced a 37-17 record last season. The Colonels return 13 letterwinners and nine starters, including 2016 NFCA All-Region and All-Ohio Valley honoree Paige Murphy and Second Team selections Rachel Minogue and Krislyn Campos. UIC and EKU met just last season with the Colonels claiming an 8-5 decision to even the all-time series at 2-2.