MURRAY, Ky. – UIC (9-4) improved its win streak to five games Saturday as it held off Kent State (9-7) in the morning and Murray State (8-13) later on in the afternoon with a pair of 2-1 victories at Race Field.
 
The Flames were able to get both wins despite having just eight hits across the two games. Skylee James was the lone player to have a hit in both matchups as she was also responsible for the game-winning RBI against the Racers. Alyssa Griman also came up big with a two-run dinger versus the Golden Flashes.
 
Karissa Frazier and Allie Trudeau took care of pitching duties on the day and each grabbed a win, with Frazier also picking up a save, as the duo combined for nine strikeouts.
 
HEADLINES vs. KENT STATE

• Kent State Converts in Fifth: Having left three runners on base across the first four innings, KSU plated the first run of the game in the top of the fifth as the Golden Flashes put two on with a walk and a single before Emily Dobbin hit a two-out single up the middle to score the go-ahead run for the 1-0 lead. They would end up leaving seven runners on base during the game.
• Power of Griman: The Flames were able to answer right back in the bottom of the inning to take the 2-1 lead. After Jennah Speth drew a walk, Griman sailed the ninth pitch of her at-bat over the fence in left field for her first career home run.
• Frazier Tosses Complete Game: For the second time this season, Frazier went from start to finish in the circle. As she picked up her fourth win of the year, she matched her season high with five strikeouts and held Kent State to six hits and one walk, of which were scattered across three innings.

 
NOTABLES vs. KENT STATE

• UIC was held to just three hits off KSU pitcher Madi Huck as it marked the second straight game and fifth of the season with four or less hits. Griman, James and Maddie Spinks made up the total.
• Lexi Watts had her hit streak come to an end at eight games, racking up 13 hits with four multi-hit games during that span.
• Off her homer, Griman picked up two RBI to lead the squad with six this season.

 
HEADLINES vs. MURRAY STATE

• Double Steal Trouble: A pair of singles and heads up baserunning by Murray State in the first inning allowed it to take the 1-0 lead as it turned the double steal with runners at the corners to plate the run.
• Flames Plate Two: After scattering runners in the first two innings, UIC converted in the third to take a 2-1 lead. Watts led off and reached on an MSU error as Kayla Wedl followed with a single and the pair then turned a double steal. With one out, Claire Crane converted the sacrifice fly to score Watts before Skylee James came up and hit an infield single to plate Wedl.
• UIC Goes Stagnant: In the final four innings, the Flames were unable to reach base as 13 straight batters were retired despite MSU making a pitching change in the sixth.
• Dynamic Duo: Allie Trudeau drew her fifth start of the year and went 4.2 innings with three strikeouts, two walks and five hits to pick up her third win of the season. Frazier came on in relief completed the final 2.1 frames with one strikeout, one walk and one hit to collect her first save of the year.

 
NOTABLES vs. MURRAY STATE

• UIC increased its hit total from the game prior but not by many as it rounded out with five hits that were made up by Watts, Tiana Mack-Miller, Taylor Cairns, Wedl and James.
• James was credited with driving in the game-winning run while Crane also picked up an RBI.

 
UP NEXT

• The Flames wrap up their stint in Murray, Ky., on Sunday as they are set for a rematch with Rhode Island, who they defeated, 8-0 (5), Friday, at 9 a.m. CT.