CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (20-20, 10-3 HL) couldn't come up with the win on a windy Friday afternoon in Chicago, falling 4-2 in its series opener with Horizon League foe Northern Kentucky (14-23, 7-5 HL). The Norse put up a three spot in their first at bat and never looked back, containing the Flames to just two runs in the sixth to take the first game of the series.

Game Highlights

• The Norse recorded three singles and a double in the bottom of the first to jump out to an early 3-0 lead.
• An error and back-to-back singles brought another run across the plate for the visitors in the top of the fifth to extend the lead, 4-0.
• Heading into their final two at bats, Lexi Watts led off the bottom of the sixth with a bunt single and stole second. Despite a strong wind blowing out of right field, Kayla Wedl was able to muscle the ball over the fence in left center to get the Flames on the board, 4-2. Skylee James followed with a single, moved to second on a Norse fielding error and took third off a sacrifice bunt from Griman, but NKU was able to turn the double play off a fly out to end the inning for UIC.
• The Flames got a runner at third in Cassie Kaelber in the bottom of the seventh after an NKU throwing error, but the Norse were able to get the final out before UIC could push her across the plate.

Facts & Figures

• The Flames finished with more hits than the Norse, 7-6. Watts and James each ended with a pair of hits, while Wedl, Crane and Kaelber each had one.
• James's hits pushed her current hit streak to 11, tying her career high. Kaelber also kept her career-high hit streak alive, having now successfully hit in her last 10 games.
• Allie Trudeau got the start and pitched the duration, allowing three earned runs off six hits while striking out four.

Up Next

• UIC will close out the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. CT.
• Prior to first pitch, the Flames will be honoring seniors Claire Crane, Karissa Frazier, Skylee James, Lexi Watts, Emily Wetzel and Jasmine Willis.