DAYTON, Ohio – The UIC softball team (32-20, 17-4 HL) had to endure a nearly two-day break from action before it was able to finish off its series with Wright State (17-26, 11-7 HL) Sunday at the WSU Softball Field. Game two resumed play in the top of the third but it was the Raiders who claimed the 2-1 win to clinch the series. The Flames were able to bounce back in the finale and come away with the 3-1 victory.
 
Across the two games, UIC took 11 hits led by Taylor Cairns (3), Kayla Wedl (2) and Jennah Speth (2), who helped make up two doubles and one home run. The trio also each added an RBI along with Lexi Watts in game three.
 
The Flames will close out the regular season next weekend when they head to Rochester, Mich., for a three-game series against Oakland. Game one is set for 2 p.m. CT Friday with a doubleheader Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Oakland Softball Field.
 
Game One: Wright State 2, UIC 1
 
It took nearly two days for game two of the series to be decided as weather on Friday (April 28) forced the game to be suspended in the top of the third. However, the two runs scored by Wright State on Friday proved to be all it would need.
 
The Flames were limited to five hits in the game made up by Cairns (2), Wedl, Tiana Mack-Miller and Jasmine Willis. Karissa Frazier went the full seven innings, did not earn either run scored, struck out three, walked one and scattered six hits, as she at one point retired 10-straight batters.
 
The Raiders executed right off the bat in the second as a pair of back-to-back singles and a UIC error loaded the bases before a fielder's choice and another Flames error allowed two runs to score for the 2-0 lead.
 
When play resumed in the top of the third, UIC looked to be in good position as Cairns was on following a single and Watts reached on a walk with one out, but the pair remained.
 
In the fifth, Cairns collected her second hit of the game before she was out on a fielder's choice for Watts. Willis then drew a walk to put two on with two outs but the inning would end bringing the Flames' total to six runners left on base.
 
With one out in the sixth, Wedl swung at the second pitch and sent the ball out to left center for her fifth home run of the season and to narrow the Raiders' lead to 2-1.
 
After nine straight Wright State batters were retired, it ended the skid in the sixth with a leadoff single. The runner was called out after leaving early, but the Raiders were still able to fight back as they loaded the bases with two outs on another two singles then a hit by pitch before all were left on.
 
The Flames put up a final push in the seventh but could not make anything of it after Willis got on with a two-out single.
 
Game Two: UIC 3, Wright State 1
 
UIC used a two-out push in the fifth to come out over the top of Wright State. The Flames took six hits from Speth (2), Watts, Cairns, Skylee James and Wedl with Speth, Watts and Cairns grabbing RBI.
 
Allie Trudeau pitched the first five innings and allowed just three hits while she struck out five and walked one on her way to her eighth win of the season. Elaine Heflin threw the final two frames with two strikeouts and no hits allowed as she garnered her second save on the year.
 
Across the first two innings, UIC left two on with a walk and a single, while Wright State put three in scoring position.
 
The Raiders added their run in the third as the Flames committed two errors that put runners at the corners before a sacrifice fly scored to go up 1-0. Wright State tried for another run in the fourth but the runner was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second.
 
After being held off base in the two innings prior, UIC put together a two-out rally in the fifth and was able to come out ahead. Kaleigh Nagle came in to pinch hit and drew a walk before she rounded the bases on Speth's fifth double of the season. It did not stop there as Watts hit her fifth triple of the season then came in as Cairns hit an infield single to put the Flames ahead 3-1.
 
Speth came out in the seventh and hit her second double of the game, marking the first time in her career she has recorded multiple doubles in a game, but she was left standing on third.
 
The Raiders tried to respond in the bottom of the seventh as they put runners in scoring position with two outs following a hit by pitch, walk and wild pitch but a pop up ended the game.