PHOENIX, Ariz. – The UIC softball team (2-8) finished out the Hillenbrand Invitational on Sunday with No. 7 Alabama (10-0) and was dealt a 13-4 (5) loss. The Flames were unable to shut down the nation's No. 3 scoring offense, as it put together 13 runs off 11 hits in its first four at bats to take down UIC by run rule.

Game Highlights

• Alabama got to work in the bottom of the first, putting their two leadoff runners on board and sending them both home on a single, 2-0. A double and a single brought across another pair of runs, giving the Crimson Tide a 4-0 lead after their first at bat.
• Alabama led off the bottom of the second with a triple and a walk to put runners on the corners, and a sacrifice fly sent the runner on third home, 5-0. The next batter emptied the bases with a two-run homer, growing the lead to seven.
• A walk, a single and a hit by pitch loaded the bases for the Crimson Tide, and a double scored another pair, putting the lead at 10 after the first two innings.
• The Crimson Tide tacked on another three at the start of the bottom of the third with a single and back-to-back homers, 13-0.
• Skylee James got UIC's on the board with a solo shot to left with one out in the top of the fourth, 13-1.
• The Flames took advantage of Alabama mistakes in the top of the fifth, but it wasn't enough. Kayla Pociejewski and Emily Wetzel started off with singles, and Watts followed with a walk to load the bases. A wild pitch advanced all three runners and allowed Pociejewski to score, 13-2. Two more wild pitches scored Wetzel and Watts to cut at Alabama's lead, while James drew a walk. Kayla Wedl singled to left, but James was called out at home to end the inning, and the game, 13-4.

Facts & Figures

• The Flames put up six hits against the Crimson Tide, as James, Wedl, Wetzel, Pociejewski, Tara McElligott and Alyssa Griman finished with one hit each. James's solo shot in the fourth was UIC's lone multi-base hit.
• Allie Trudeau got the start and took the loss to move to 1-4 on the season. The junior allowed four runs off four hits in 1.0 inning of work. Jennah Speth also saw 1.0 inning of action, giving up six runs off four hits. Marley Hanlon came on for 0.1 inning and allowed three runs to cross from three hits. Karissa Frazier finished out the game, giving up no runs or hits in 1.2 innings.

Up Next

• The Flames will take a brief break in action before heading to San Diego, Calif. for the San Diego Classic March 1-3.