BROUSSARD, La. – After being rained out the day prior, UIC was back in action Sunday for the final day of the Mardi Gras Classic, with games being moved to Broussard Sports Complex at St. Julien Park. Down 4-0, the Flames fired back in the sixth inning to score six runs and take a 6-4 victory over Iowa to cap opening weekend with a 2-2 record.
 
HEADLINES

• Iowa Strikes in First and Third: The first two batters of the game were able to put a run on the board for the Hawkeyes as a single, wild pitch and double scored one. In the third, a two-run homer from Allie Wood and three singles put Iowa up 4-0.
• Flames Face Early Offensive Struggles: UIC had trouble connecting on offense as it reached base just five times in as many innings. Tiana Mack-Miller, who reached earlier on an error, collected the first hit of the game with a single in the fourth, followed by a single for Emily Wetzel in the fifth.
• UIC Goes Off in the Sixth: After holding Iowa to a 1-2-3 frame, the Flames came out in the bottom half of the sixth and found the production they needed. Lexi Watts and Taylor Cairns led off with back-to-back singles before Kayla Wedl singled into right center to score Watts. With both runners in scoring position after Wedl stole second, Mack-Miller helped get the squeeze as her bunt allowed Cairns to cross the plate. Claire Crane then picked up an RBI on a single into left, as Alyssa Griman drew a walk to load the bases. A fielder's choice for Wetzel took the throw to the plate, but Mack-Miller got in safe as the catcher was drawn off the plate. With the bases still loaded, Watts and Cairns returned to the plate and drew consecutive walks to pick up the RBI.
• Frazier on Fire: Karissa Frazier came on in relief with two outs in the third inning. She finished the game and did not allow a single hit or run while striking out five and walking three.

 
NOTABLES

• UIC had just two hits prior to having four in the sixth for six total on the day, made up by six players. Five different players were credited with one RBI and six different players scored a run. Of the four walks, Watts led the team with two.
• Allie Trudeau started the game and tossed the first 2.2 innings before Frazier entered to pick up her second with of the year.
• Combined at the Mardi Gras Classic, Watts had a team-best six hits followed by Cairns with four. Watts also added two RBI and Cairns scored a team-high five runs.

 
UP NEXT

• The Flames will return to Chicago before they head out west to San Diego, Calif., for the Campbell/Cartier Classic (Feb. 16-18).
• UIC is set to take on Kentucky, host San Diego State, Cal State Fullerton and North Dakota State during the three-day tournament.