EDINBURG, Texas -- UIC pounded out a season-high 14 runs Saturday afternoon, including seven in the first inning alone to win for the fourth consecutive time, toppling UTRGV, 14-3.

For the second time in as many starts, Ryan Campbell cruised on the mound for the Flames (5-1). The senior picked up his second win in as many starts while tossing 7.0 scoreless frames for the second time in two 2018 outings. The Carmel, Ind., native scattered five hits and struck out a career-high eight in Saturday's contest.

Seven different Flames drove in a run at UTRGV Saturday with four driving in at least two. Batting leadoff for the first time this season, Thomas Norton rose to the challenge and got on base five times, including the time he moved around them quickly thanks to a two-run home run.

How It Happened
UIC pushed across three runs in the top of the first before UTRGV starting pitcher Jorge Flores was able to register an out. Norton singled, David Becker doubled and Scott Ota drove in both with his own two-base hit to make 2-0. Ota scored on an Aaron Ackerman singled before Derrick Patrick drove in two more, two batters later with a one-out single to right. Dylan Gilbert scored on a passed ball and Becker kicked the extra point to make it 7-0 with a sacrifice fly that scored Patrick.

After a lengthy stint in the dugout before his outing began, Campbell worked swiftly through the bottom of the first and his offense did further damage in the top of the second, this time scoring four more times. Joshua Figueroa had an RBI single that brought home two runs (one via an error) and Gilbert knocked in a run, as well. Norton drove in the fourth run of the frame to make it 11-0 with a single as he reached safely for the third time in as many plate appearances.

UTRGV trotted out a collection of relievers, but the Flames popped off for two more runs on one swing in the top of the fourth. Patrick walked to start the stanza and two batters later Norton belted a two-run homer to left. Ota also doubled in the inning, but UIC was unable to add to its 13-0 lead.

In the visitors half of the seventh, Ota opened things up with a single and he came all he way around to score on an RBI double from Ackerman. He would make third on a pinch-hit single from Riley Hebert, but UTRGV got back-to-back strikeouts to end that threat and keep the deficit at 14.

Campbell's day was finished after seven spectacular innings. Braeden Toikka threw a scoreless inning of relief in the eighth before UTRGV narrowly escaped getting shutout with three unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth before falling, 14-3.

Beyond the Box Score

• UIC's two starting pitchers in this series - Reid Birlingmair and Ryan Campbell - have thrown 14.0 scoreless innings at UTRGV.
• Aaron Ackerman has hit safely in all six games this season. The catcher is batting .455 with five doubles and eight RBI, leading UIC in both categories in the early going.
• Scott Ota recorded a career-high four hits Saturday. The reigning Horizon League Batter of the Week is batting a team-high .478 with 11 hits in six games this season.
• Ackerman and Ota both drove in two runs Saturday, and for both it was the third multi-RBI game of the young season.
• Thomas Norton became the fifth different player to hit a home run for the Flames this season. Norton batted leadoff for the first time in 2018 after hitting in that slot a team-high 20 times in 56 games as a sophomore in 2017.
• UTRGV has scored six runs in two games in the series and all six are unearned by UIC's pitching staff.

 Up Next

• The series at UTRGV concludes Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. CT.
• Sophomore Jacob Key (0-0, 3.68 ERA) is slated to start for the Flames, while RHP Chase Adams (1-0, 5.14 ERA) will go for UTRGV.