MURRAY, Ky. – UIC (7-4) turned out a pair of shutouts Friday to kick off the Racer Classic. The Flames first took down Rhode Island, 8-0 (5), in run-rule fashion before going to extras with Evansville and posting the 1-0 (8) victory at Racer Field.
 
UIC garnered 12 hits on the day with Tiana Mack-Miller and Lexi Watts sitting at the top of the offensive effort with three hits apiece, as the pair, along with Taylor Cairns, recorded a tally in each game. Notably, Mack-Miller tabbed one RBI, scored two runs, stole two bases and had an on-base percentage of .714 on the day.
 
Jennah Speth made her first appearance in the circle this season and threw a one-hit bid against the Rams for the complete game shutout. Marley Hanlon and Allie Trudeau shared the shutout over the Purple Aces while Trudeau got the win. The trio held opponents to a combined seven hits.
 
HEADLINES vs. RHODE ISLAND

• Flames Come Out Ahead: UIC used the top half of its lineup to grab a 2-0 lead in the first. Watts reached on an error, stole second and advanced to third on a single from Mack-Miller before both respectively scored on a single from Claire Crane and sacrifice fly from Cairns.
• Free Base First: Rhode Island looked to be in position to strike back on the Flames in the bottom half of the inning as two walks, a fielder's choice and another walk loaded the bases but UIC got out of the jam with a strikeout for the final batter.
• Six-Run Third Seals It: The offense exploded for the Flames in their turn at the plate in the third. Kayla Wedl led off with a walk before three straight singles came for Mack-Miller, Crane and Cairns, with Crane and Cairns collecting RBI. Skylee James loaded the bases with a fielder's choice then Cassie Kaelber was hit by a pitch to walk in another run. The final two runs of the inning came in as Watts hit an infield single.
• Speth Deals One-Hitter: In her first career start in the circle and first appearance of the season, Speth found her groove after the first inning. She helped retire 10 straight batters that included five strikeouts before her no-hit bid ended in the top of the fifth with a leadoff double.

 
NOTABLES vs. RHODE ISLAND

• The Flames posted their second-highest hit total of the season with eight singles. Mack-Miller and Crane had a team-best two hits as Crane went a perfect 2-for-2 with one walk. Watts also aided in the total to move her hit streak to seven games.
• Of the six RBI handed out, Crane picked up a pair and with Cairns as Watts and Kaelber had one apiece.
• UIC reached a season-high in stolen bases as Watts and Mack-Miller each stole twice and Cairns and Kaelber got in on the action.
• It was a notable day for Speth as she picked up her second career win and first of the year while it was the first time she started and threw a complete game. Along with her five strikeouts and one hit allowed, she issued three walks.

 
HEADLINES vs. EVANSVILLE

• Flames Hold Off Purple Aces: Evansville put runners in every inning but left 11 on base, including the bases loaded in the second as UIC was able to get out of each frame unharmed.
• Web Gem Watts: In the top of the seventh with two outs and a runner at first, the Purple Aces' Morgan Florey sent the ball into right center and would have scored the runner who reached with a walk, but Watts came and made the diving catch to end the frame.
• Extra-Inning Walk Off: With the international tie breaker rule in effect, Emily Wetzel began the bottom of the eighth standing on second. Watts led off with a bunt single that advanced Wetzel to third before she stole her third base of the day. Mack-Miller stepped to the plate and swung at the third pitch, sending it up the middle and scoring Wetzel to walk off with the win.

 
NOTABLES vs. EVANSVILLE

• The Flames were limited in their offensive production as they were held to four hits, marking the fourth time this season they had four or less hits. Watts put up her fifth multi-hit game of the season with a two-hit effort and improved her hit streak to eight games.
• In her third start of the season, Marley Hanlon went 5.1 innings with two walks and six hits allowed. Allie Trudeau entered in relief and finished the game with two strikeouts, one walk and no hits as she collected her second win of the year.

 
UP NEXT

• UIC is back at Racer Field on Saturday to square up with Kent State at 9 a.m. CT and Murray State at 2 p.m.