CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (22-17, 11-3 HL) returned to its winning ways on Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep of Green Bay (9-30, 6-9 HL). The Flames outlasted the Phoenix 3-2 in game one and went on to take game two convincingly, 10-3.

Lexi Watts led the offensive front with a 6-for-8 showing, while also adding a trio of stolen bases. Tiana Mack-Miller ended the day with three hits, including a double and two RBI, while Alyssa Griman, Maddie Spinks, Taylor Cairns, and Kayla Wedl also recorded multi-hit games with two apiece. Claire Crane and Skylee James each contributed one hit each.

Game One Highlights

• Both teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning, when a leadoff triple for the Phoenix came in to score on a ground out.
• The Flames scored all of their runs in the sixth, beginning with Wedl's one out single through the left side. Marley Hanlon drew a walk, and Cassie Kaelber put a slow-rolling single down the first base line to load up the bases. A fielding error gave Spinks first base, and shifted all the runners, allowing Wedl to score, and a wild pitch cleared brought in another two runs
• The Phoenix threatened in their final at bat, adding another run. A batter that was hit by a pitch advanced to second on a grounder, and made it home on an RBI single from Green Bay's Sonia Schubert, but another ground ball ended the game with a win for the Flames, 3-2

Game One Facts & Figures

• Watts and Wedl tabbed two hits apiece, while Mack-Miller, Kaelber and Cairns added one to give the Flames seven hits in the contest. Spinks Tallied UIC's only RBI, while Wedl, Willis and Kaelber crossed the dish one time each to make up the Flames' three runs.
• Hanlon got the start in the circle and pitched five innings of solid work, allowing just one earned run off six hits. Karissa Frazier stepped in and pitched the final two innings to earn the save, holding the Phoenix to one run off one hit.

Game Two Highlights

• The Flames tabbed one run in each of the first two innings, taking advantage of three walks in that span. A walk, a single and a walk set the stage for an RBI grounder for Wedl in the first to put UIC up 1-0. In the second, Crane walked with two out, and was able to cross the dish on a throwing error off the bunt from Watts.  
• Green Bay evened the score with one run in both the third and fourth innings, tying the game at 2-2.
• UIC regained the lead in the top of the fifth, beginning with a single up the middle from Watts. Watts turned on the motors and stole second, and made it to third on a ground out. Mack-Miller saw four balls and took first base, and Griman's blooper to center brought in Watts.
• UIC got a two-out rally going in the sixth, tallying three runs off five consecutive hits. Watts smacked the ball through the left side, and James sent another ball through the left side to mirror Watts. Mack-Miller found the gap in right center to bring them both in, and a single from Griman drove in Mack-Miller.
• In their final at bat, the Flames added another four runs while batting through the order. Hanlon walked, Cairns hit a dribbler and out-ran the throw, and a bunt from Spinks loaded the bags. A wild pitch scored the pinch running Kaelber, permitting Cairns and Spinks to each advanced one base themselves. Watts stepped up to the plate and singled up the middle, scoring a pair, and took second base on the throw home. James was safe at first after a fielding error by Green Bay's shortstop, putting Watts on third. Back-to-back walks gave the Flames their final run of the inning and a 10-2 lead.
• The bottom of the seventh had two-straight walks for the Phoenix with two outs, and a passed ball put two runners in scoring position. A slow-moving single to the circle brought one run in for the Phoenix, but closer Jennah Speth put an end to the game by striking out the next batter faced.

Game Two Facts & Figures

• The Flames outhit the Phoenix by a staggering 13-4 in game two. Watts finished the game with four hits, three runs and a pair of RBI to lead the offensive charge. Griman ended the contest with a team-high three RBI to go with two hits and two walks, while Mack-Miller recorded a multi-hit effort alongside a pair of RBI. Spinks also recorded a multi-hit effort with two hits, and James, Cairns and Crane each collected one hit.
• Frazier got the start and saw six innings of work, allowing just two runs off three hits while striking out four. Speth closed the game in the seventh, striking out all three outs in the inning.

Up Next

• The Flames and Phoenix will face off in the series finale tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT.