TUCSON, Ariz. – The UIC softball team (2-5) was dealt a pair of losses in day one of the Hillenbrand Invitational, falling 12-8 to Cal State Fullerton and 10-1 (5) host No. 9 Arizona.

The Flames were unable to hold off a late surge from Cal State Fullerton (5-1) in the opener, as it fell 12-8. UIC put up eight runs in the first four innings, but the Titans brought in a combined 12 runs in the fifth and seventh innings to take the win over the Flames. UIC was unable to stifle Arizona's (4-3) offense in its evening tilt, which put up 10 runs in the first three innings to put the Flames to bed after five innings.

Game Highlights vs. Cal State Fullerton

• Tara McElligott walked to start the bottom of the second, and Kayla Pociejewski stepped up to the plate with one out, knocking her first career homer to put UIC ahead 2-0.
• Lexi Watts and Cassie Kaelber singled to lead off UIC's half of the third, and Kayla Wedl brought them home with her first bomb of the year. Tara McElligott followed with a solo shot, 6-0. Alyssa Griman walked and Pociejewski and Emily Wetzel singled, driving in pinch-runner Schyler Ek, to give UIC a 7-0 lead after three innings.
• Watts led off again in the fourth and sent the ball over the center-field wall for the first home run of her career, 8-0.
• Cal State Fullerton made a big reply in the top of the fifth to avoid the run rule, bringing in seven off three home runs - a pair of three-run shots and a solo shot, 8-7.
• The Titans led off the seventh with a solo shot to tie the game at eight. A walk and two hit by pitches loaded the bases, and a single drove in another run, giving Fullerton its first lead of the game. Two more walks and a wild pitch brought across three more runs, giving the Titans a 12-8 lead heading into the final three outs.
• Wetzel drew a two-out walk, but that's all the Flames would get in the bottom of the seventh.

Facts & Figures vs. Cal State Fullerton

• UIC out hit Fullerton 11-8. Four of UIC's 11 tabs were homers, with Watts and Pociejewski each notching the first home runs of their careers.
• Watts, James, Pociejewski and Wetzel all finished with two hits, while Kaelber, Wedl and McElligott made up UIC's remaining three.
• Allie Trudeau got the start and pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four runs off four hits and striking out four. Marley Hanlon came on in the fifth and faced five batters, allowing four runs and three hits. Karissa Frazier came on in the seventh and took the loss, giving up three runs. Jennah Speth faced five batters in the seventh, allowing one run off one hit.
• UIC's staff gave up a combined 10 walks, a season-high.

Game Highlights vs. Arizona

• Watts got the game started with a double down the left-field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Wedl smacked a single off the pitcher's glove two batters later to score Watts and give UIC a 1-0 lead.
• Arizona walked and singled to start its half of the first, and both batters advanced on a failed pickoff attempt. A double to left center scored two, and after a walk, its next batter homered to put the Wildcats ahead 5-1. Two more hits, a walk and a pair of fielders' choice brought in three more runs, giving Arizona an 8-1 lead at the end of the first.
• The Wildcats tacked on another two runs in the bottom of the third with a two-run homer, 10-1.

Facts & Figures vs. Arizona

• UIC was held to just three hits against the home team, with Watts, Wedl and Pociejewski taking credit for the Flames. Watts was the sole player to tab a multi-base hit with her leadoff double in the top of the first.
• Allie Trudeau made her second start of the day, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing 10 runs off nine hits and five walks. Marley Hanlon came on to pitch in the fourth and retired three batters in order.

Up Next

• UIC continues at the Hillenbrand Invitational tomorrow with South Florida and New Mexico.

Postgame Reaction - Lexi Watts and Kayla Pociejewski