CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (17-19) played to a 1-1 split in Saturday's doubleheader with in-state rival Western Illinois (11-19). The Leathernecks struck early in game one with four runs in their first at bat to take game one, 9-4. UIC answered in game two with five runs combined in its first two at bats to earn the win in game two, 6-3.

Game One Highlights

• Western Illinois got started early, putting up five hits in its first at bat while bringing across four runs for an early 4-0 lead.
• Skylee James sent a long ball over the fence out in right center in the bottom of the first to cut at the Leathernecks' lead, 4-1.
• Both teams got one run in the third. WIU's leadoff double made it all the way home after a short single out in center was followed by a UIC throwing error. For the Flames, James hit one to the wall out in left for a triple and made it home on an error by the WIU catcher, 5-2.
• The Leathernecks put the game out of reach with three runs in the top of the fifth, taking advantage of two hits, two walks, a hit by pitch and a deep sacrifice fly out in foul territory, 8-2.
• UIC got one across the dish in the bottom of the fifth. Kayla Wedl singled and Tara McElligott doubled, putting runners on second and third. Alyssa Griman ran to first on a drop third strike and the Leathernecks decided to hold Wedl at third, who found herself in a rundown heading for home, but was able to escape the tag and get the run for the Flames, 8-3.
• A bunt, a double and a single brought in another run for the visitors in the top of the seventh, 8-3.
• Wedl belted her fifth home run of the year in the bottom of the seventh, but that is all the Flames would get in their last at bat, falling 9-4.

Game One Facts & Figures

• The Leathernecks put up an impressive 16 hits to UIC's eight. James finished the day 3-for-4 to lead the Flames, while Wedl and Lexi Watts split UIC's remaining four hits.
• Wedl and James collected UIC's only two RBI.
• Marley Hanlon got the start and took the loss. The sophomore lefty dealt 3.0 innings, giving up five earned runs off eight hits. Karissa Frazier took credit for the remaining 4.0 innings, allowing four earned runs off eight hits.

Game Two Highlights

• Western Illinois got right back at it in the top of the first, grabbing two runs off two hits for an early 2-0 lead.
• Watts drew a walk to leadoff the game for the Flames, and she came around to score on the second homer of the day for James, tying the game at two.
• Jennah Speth looked at four balls to start things off for UIC in the bottom of the second and Cassie Kaelber followed with a single through the left side. Claire Crane smacked a hard-hit ball through the infield for a double, allowing Speth to score and Kaelber to pull up into third. Schyler Ek and Watts both reached on a fielder's choice, and a single from Wedl brought them both in and extended UIC's lead to three, 5-2.
• The Leathernecks got one in the top of the third off a single, a bunt and another single, 5-3.
• James and McElligott batted back-to-back singles to open up the bottom of the fifth for UIC, and James was able to come around and score on a double from Griman, 6-3.
• WIU loaded the bags with one out in their final at bat off a single and back-to-back walks, but two-straight fly outs ended the threat and sealed the win for UIC.

Game Two Facts & Figures

• UIC outhit WIU 10-7. Watts, James and Crane each finished with a pair of hits, while Wedl, McElligott, Griman and Kaelber made up UIC's remaining four tabs.
• Wedl and James each took home a pair of RBI. Griman and Crane each grabbed one RBI.
• Allie Trudeau got the nod in the circle and pitched 6.2 innings for her eighth win of the season. The junior gave up three earned runs off six hits while striking out two. Jennah Speth came on for 0.1 innings in the seventh, allowing one hit and two walks.

Up Next

• UIC heads back out on the road for more Horizon League action, facing IUPUI April 16-17.