CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (30-18) picked up its 13th win over its last 14 games Tuesday when it defeated Loyola (24-21), 5-2, in a crosstown matchup at Flames Field.
 
The Flames put together seven hits from the top of the lineup as Lexi Watts produced a team-best two. Jasmine Willis was credited with all four of the team's RBI as she hit a three-run homer and reached on a fielder's choice.
 
Karissa Frazier threw the first 4.2 innings, including four shutout frames, and allowed nine hits and one walk as she picked up her 11th win of the year. Allie Trudeau entered in relief and finished the game to collect her first-career save with four strikeouts, one walk and no hits in the last 2.1 innings.
 
UIC got it going in the first inning as Tiana Mack-Miller singled and Jennah Speth walked before Willis stepped to the plate and sent her fifth home run of the season over the wall in left field for the 3-0 lead.
 
After stranding a total of five runners over the first four innings, the Ramblers came out in the fifth to put runners in scoring position with no outs following two singles and a passed ball. A ground out then scored one with a fielder's choice bringing the second run across the plate, narrowing the Flames' lead to 3-2.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, UIC was able to load the bases with one out as Mack-Miller reached on an error then Savannah Soppet and Speth singled. As Willis reached on a fielder's choice, Mack-Miller was safe at the plate, but the ball got away, resulting in Soppet scoring the second run to go up 5-2.
 
Loyola put a runner on in the seventh with a two-out walk but was left on base.
 
UIC will close out its home schedule Wednesday when it hosts DePaul at 4 p.m. CT at Flames Field.