CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (14-14, 3-2 HL) finished day one of its home-opening series with a 1-1 split against Oakland (7-17, 1-1 HL). The Flames were dealt a 5-2 loss in game one before rallying in game two, eliminating the Golden Grizzlies with an 8-0 run rule win.

UIC ended the day outhitting Oakland 18-11, with Skylee James and Taylor Cairns tabbing four hits apiece to lead the Flames. Lexi Watts recorded three hits, and Spinks registered two, while Ria Smith, Tiana Mack-Miller, Kayla Wedl, Alyssa Griman and Cassie Kaelber all had one.

Game One Highlights

• The Golden Grizzlies loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fifth off a single and two hit by pitches. Brittney Miller came up to the plate and launched a ball over the left field side to clear the bases. The grand slam would prove to be all Oakland would need, as they went up 4-0.
• Two singles in the top of the sixth put runners on first and second for the Golden Grizzlies. A hit by pitch loaded the bases and a sacrifice fly brought in another run, extending Oakland's lead to 5-0.
• Watts bunted and was safe at first to start the Flames off in the bottom of the sixth, and Wedl made it aboard off an error, moving Watts to second. James singled to right field, driving in Watts, and moved on to second base on the throw home. The Golden Grizzlies kept throwing the ball around, and a bad throw to second in an attempt to get James out allowed Wedl to come home, giving UIC their only two runs of the game.  

Game One Facts & Figures

• UIC was held to just four hits, two of which came off the bat of Cairns. James and Watts were responsible for the Flames only other hits. Wedl and Watts recorded the runs for the Flames, and James tallied UIC's sole RBI.
• Karissa Frazier got the start and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing five runs off seven hits while striking out three to take the loss. Marley Hanlon came on in relief and pitched 1.2 innings allowing one hit in the seven batters she faced.

Game Two Highlights

• Cairns walked with one out in the bottom of the first, and a double from James put two runners in scoring position for Griman, who added a double of her own to bring in Cairns and James and give UIC a 2-0 lead after one inning.
• Spinks, Watts and Cairns all registered infield singles to load the bases in the bottom of the fourth for James, who unloaded them with a long double to right center. Griman reached on a fielder's choice, and James was safe on the throw to third. Mack-Miller mirrored James with a double to right center, bringing in two more for UIC. The Flames ended the fourth inning with five runs scored and a 7-0 lead.
• It was Spinks again to start things off in the fifth, putting the bat on her second hit of the day with a single up the middle. Watts laid down a bunt, but Spinks got caught trying to make her way to third. Cairns kept things alive for the Flames with another up-the-middle single, allowing Watts to move to second. James stepped up to the plate and laid out her third double of the day, putting the ball deep in left field to bring Watts around to score, giving UIC the one run it needed for the run-rule victory.

Game Two Facts & Figures

• The Flames matched their team season-high with 14 hits, seven of which were doubles. UIC's seven two-baggers were also a season-high.
• James (3), Watts (2), Cairns (2) and Spinks (2) all registered multi-hit performances for the Flames, while Griman, Wedl, Mack-Miller, Smith and Kaelber all added one to the hit parade.
• Allie Trudeau was solid once again, pitching her eight complete game of the season. Trudeau struck out three and allowed just three hits in five innings for the clean sheet.

Up Next

• UIC and Oakland will face off in the series finale tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT at Flames Field.