CHICAGO -- UIC will continue a six-game homestand and simultaneously begin Horizon League play on Saturday, March 16, when the Oakland Golden Grizzlies visit Curtis Granderson Stadium to open a three-game with the Flames. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:05 p.m. CT, before concluding the series as previously scheduled on Sunday at 12:05 p.m.

The Flames (3-8) have won two of the three games played at home this season. UIC split a doubleheader with Chicago State on Friday, March 8, before coming back on Tuesday to take the series finale from the Cougars, 7-1. Junior Jacob Key set the tone in the opener by throwing his second consecutive complete game in a 5-1 victory. He scattered six hits and allowed one unearned run, while striking out six. That performance helped Key land Horizon League Pitcher of the Week honors on Tuesday. Not only did Key not issue a free pass in last Friday's win, but he has not walked a foe in 24.0 consecutive innings of work, spanning three-plus starts. His last walk was issued at Georgia Tech on opening day.

Key leads the conference with 28.0 IP this season and he ranks fourth with 22 strikeouts. He has walked only three batters this spring, the fewest in the conference among pitchers with at least 10.0 IP on the year. Key is scheduled to pitch the first game of the series for UIC.

During the Chicago State series, UIC's pitching staff posted an ERA of 2.08 over 26.0 IP. In addition to Key's strong start, seven of the other pitchers used in the three games did not allow a run in at least 1.0 IP. Braeden Toikka started Tuesday's tilt and struck out four over 4.0 scoreless frames, while allowing only one hit.

The bats also came to life a bit in less than ideal hitting conditions. The team had six players record at least two hits in the three games, led by shortstop Matt Bottcher. The junior hit .357 in three games against the Cougars with a team-high five hits and five total bases. Scott Ota hit his third home run of the season Tuesday and walked seven times in the series for an on-base percentage of .615.

Oakland (0-14) blows into the Windy City searching for its first win of the season. The Golden Grizzlies are batting .233 as a team through 14 games, while scoring 4.6 runs per contest. Mario Camilletti is hitting .314 for OU with a team-best 16 hits and Myles Zilinsky has 11 RBI. Oakland has a staff ERA of 10.01 with 93 strikeouts and 84 walks. Beau Keathley's 25 punch-outs lead the conference and opponents are batting only .167 against him in a team-high 21.0 IP. Keathley is scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday.

All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+. Links are available in the blue box above.

Probable Pitching Matchups (UIC vs. Oakland)
Saturday (Game 1): RHP Jacob Key (1-3, 2.57 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Parr (0-2, 11.25 ERA)
Saturday (Game 2): RHP Joey Fredrickson (1-2, 5.66 ERA) vs. RHP Andrew Hoffman (0-2, 9.00 ERA)
Sunday: LHP Patrick Martin (0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. RHP Beau Keathley (0-3, 4.29 ERA)

Series Preview with Coach Dee