CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (28-18, 15-2 HL) kicked off its series with Green Bay (2-24, 1-10 HL) in dominating fashion by scoring 18 runs across two five inning games as it collected a pair of 9-0 and 9-1 run-rule victories Tuesday at Flames Field.
 
While the Flames outhit the Phoenix, 18-6, Kayla Wedl had a highlight day as she went a perfect 5-for-5 with one home run, tabbed six RBI, scored two runs and stole two bases. Jasmine Willis had the next best offensive attack, registering three hits that featured one double and one homer and adding three RBI.
 
UIC and Green Bay will close out the series Wednesday back at Flames Field with a single game at 3 p.m. CT.
 
Game One: UIC 9, Green Bay 0 (5)
 
UIC found its groove at the plate as it was able to turn out at least one hit in each inning with 10 total in the five-inning game. The Flames were led by the Wedl and Tiana Mack-Miller as they each went 2-for-2, while it was nearly all Wedl with the runs driven in as she picked up a career-high five RBI.
 
Elaine Heflin dealt her fifth complete-game shutout of the season and third in the last five appearances as she has not had a run scored against her in 34.2 innings. She struck out five, walked one and allowed Green Bay to record just two hits as she took her 10th win on the year.
 
UIC got its offense going right from the start as it took the 2-0 lead after the first inning. Skylee James hit her second triple of the season with one out and then came in to score as Jennah Speth hit her first career triple. Following a walk for Mack-Miller, Wedl singled into right center to plate the second run.
 
After Alice Fitzpatrick was held on base in the second with a single, the Flames added three runs to their total in the third. With one out, Speth walked then Mack-Miller doubled for the fourth time on the year before Speth scored on a sacrifice fly from Wedl. Willis was the next up to bat and she swung at the second pitch and sent the ball over the wall in left field for her third homer of the season to put UIC up 5-0.
 
In the fourth, Taylor Cairns led off with her second season double and moved up as Lexi Watts hit an infield single. With runners at the corners, the Phoenix turned a double play but Cairns was able to make her way in for the 6-0 advantage.
 
The Flames sealed the game in the fifth as Speth led off the inning with a walk and Mack-Miller hit her second two-baser of the afternoon before Wedl stepped to the plate and jacked her fourth home run of the year out to left for the walk-off victory.
 
Game Two: UIC 9, Green Bay 1 (5)
 
UIC used an eight-run fourth inning to lift past Green Bay and cap the game in five innings. The Flames tallied eight runs in the game with Wedl (3-for-3) and Willis (2-for-2) turning out perfect marks as they each grabbed one RBI along with Savannah Soppet, Emily Wetzel and Mack-Miller.
 
Karissa Frazier picked up her 10th victory in four innings of work as she struck out three, walked one and allowed just four hits. Allie Trudeau threw the final frame with one strikeout and left a Phoenix runner stranded on third base.
 
After having its first six batters retired, Green Bay came up in the third and led off with a walk, but that runner would remain as Frazier struck out the next three.
 
UIC stranded Willis and Wedl in the second after they singled but it was able to come back in the next inning and take the 1-0 lead. Watts led off with a walk and stole her second base of the game, bringing her total to 23 on the year, before she scored on a single to center by Soppet.
 
The Phoenix came right back and put a run on the board in the fourth as Chyanne Onstad led off with a solo home run to straightaway center.
 
The tie did not last long as the Flames went off in their turn at the plate in the fourth to go up 9-1. Willis led off with a walk and Wedl got down her second bunt single of the game before Wetzel singled up the middle, allowing Willis to score. With runners at the corners, Wetzel and Wedl turned the double steal for one run. With runners at first and third yet again with one out, Watts tried for the sacrifice bunt, but Green Bay committed an error that allowed two runs to score and Watts to reach third.
 
UIC continued the dominant inning as Mack-Miller turned the sacrifice fly. After Soppet walked and Speth singled, Willis came back up to bat for the second time in the inning and doubled into left, scoring Soppet. A passed ball allowed Speth to score before the final run came in on a single from Wedl.