CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (17-15, 6-3 HL) will be traveling to Highland Heights, Ky. this weekend to face Northern Kentucky (17-13, 4-4 HL). The two teams were originally scheduled to play a single game Friday, April 13 and a doubleheader on Saturday, April 14, but predicted inclement weather in the forecast for Saturday has adjusted the schedule. The Flames and the Norse will now face off in a doubleheader on Friday starting at 1 p.m. CT and will play a single game on Saturday, tentatively scheduled for Noon CT.

LAST TIME OUT
UIC put its first Horizon League series sweep of the season in the books this week, taking three-straight games from IUPUI. The Flames took Tuesday's (April 10) game by a score of 1-0, and utilized a high-powered offense in Wednesday's (April 11) doubleheader for a pair of wins, 12-7 in the first game and 11-0 (5) in the second.

The Flames combined for an impressive 24 hits between the two games, and had a historic performance in game one, tying the program record for home runs with five, a record that was set over two decades ago in 1997. UIC's 15 hits in the first contest were a season best, as were its runs scored (11).

SCOUTING THE FLAMES
Following the sweep of IUPUI, the Flames are now in sole possession of first place in the Horizon League, boasting a 6-3 conference record. Wright State is the only other team with a record over .500 in League play at 6-5, while the other seven contenders sit at .500 or below. As a team, the Flames are still number one in stolen bases with 64, while also ranking second in RBI (109) and third in the conference in batting average (.261), runs (123) and total hits (213).

Individually, Lexi Watts maintains the highest batting average for UIC at .412, a mark that puts her at third amongst Horizon League players. Watts also sits in a tie for first in the conference in stolen bases with 22, and her 0.69 swipes per game average puts her at 20th in the nation. Watts is also runner-up in hits in the League, owning 42 hits, just one hit shy of first place. Taylor Cairns and Skylee James have also had a huge offensive role, contributing 28 hits apiece thus far. James leads the squad with 11 doubles, and is also the top run producer for UIC with a team-high 30 RBI, a mark that also puts her at number one in the League.

UIC's pitching staff has the second-lowest ERA in the League at 3.57, just inches away from Northern Kentucky's League-leading 3.53 ERA. The Flames hold batters to a .261 average, the lowest mark in the conference and own eight shutouts this season, the most in the League. Marley Hanlon controls the lowest ERA amongst Horizon League pitchers at 2.13, after making an appearance in all three IUPUI matchups and allowing zero runs and just eight hits in 9.0 total innings of work. Allie Trudeau (3.22 ERA) leads UIC pitchers with 57 strikeouts, which puts her at fifth in the conference. Karissa Frazier (4.02 ERA) and Jennah Speth (9.80 ERA) round out the pitching staff for the Flames.

SCOUTING THE NORSE
The Norse are fresh off a 1-2 series loss to Youngstown State earlier this week, splitting a doubleheader on Tuesday by an identical score of 2-1, and falling 9-5 in Wednesday's finale. Northern Kentucky is 4-4 in Horizon League play this season, which locks them into a four-way tie for third place in the current standings alongside Youngstown State (6-6), Green Bay (4-4) and Oakland (3-3).

NKU is just above the Flames in team batting average, collectively owning a .288 average. The Norse are also one spot above UIC in hits with 236, as well as runs (124). However, The Flames' 109 RBI are just above NKU's 107. The Norse's Sydney Ferrante sits just ahead of Watts in individual batting average, with a .418 average, but is just below Watts in hits, with 38.

The Norse turn to Ashlynn Roberts on the mound, who is fourth in the Horizon League with a 2.92 ERA across 72.0 innings of work. Taylor Ginther has seen the most action with 19 appearances, and owns a 3.63 ERA. Faith Howard rounds out NKU's pitching staff, with a 4.29 ERA in 16 appearances and 49.0 innings.

ALL-TIME SERIES
UIC is 5-1 all-time against NKU, and last season's series went to the Flames by a final tally of 2-1.

UP NEXT
The Flames will return to Chicago next week, but will make a short trip to face city-foe DePaul on Wednesday, April 18.