CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (22-20, 12-3 HL) took home its second Horizon League series win of the week on Saturday after taking two against Northern Kentucky (14-25, 7-7 HL). The Flames recorded a season-high 21 hits to take game one in run-rule fashion, 17-9, and finished the afternoon with a 7-4 comeback win in game two to earn the 2-1 series win.

The Flames honored seniors Claire Crane, Karissa Frazier, Skylee James, Lexi Watts, Emily Wetzel and Jasmine Willis prior to first pitch for their UIC careers.

Game One Highlights

• Northern Kentucky scored first off a couple of walks and an infield single, 1-0.
• UIC made a big reply in their first at bat, putting up four runs to take over the lead. Kayla Wedl sent the first pitch she saw over the fence in right, tying the game at one. Skylee James walked, and Alyssa Griman followed with another long shot over the fence, 3-0. Two batters later Claire Crane joined in with a solo shot to left, making it 4-1 after the first inning.
• The Flames added another four runs in the bottom of the second. Cassie Kaelber led off with a single and Lexi Watts put down a bunt, which Wedl followed up with a double, scoring Kaelber. James singled and took second on a fielding error, meanwhile both Watts and Wedl crossed the plate. Jasmine Willis found the hole in left for two bases, plating James and giving UIC an 8-1 advantage.
• The Norse got a pair of runs off a two-run homer in the top of the third to cut at the lead, 8-3.
• Kaelber and Watts batted one-out singles in the bottom of the third, and Wedl put a ball out in left center to score Kaelber, 9-3.
• Northern Kentucky came within one after tabbing five runs off five hits in the top of the fourth, 9-8.
• UIC got all five runs back in the bottom of the inning off six hits and a Norse error. Crane singled, Ek bunted and Kaelber singled to load the bases for Watts, who singled out to right. All three baserunners scored on the hit, thanks to a fielding error by the Norse. With Watts still out on second, Wedl batted her second bomb of the day, restoring UIC's lead, 14-8.
• The Norse tacked on a run in the top of the fifth with a single and a double, 15-8.
• The Flames put the game to bed in the bottom of the fifth with a three-run, two out rally. Emily Wetzel and Ek both grounded the ball up the middle, while Kaelber put one through the left side to load the bags for Watts, who once again singled and emptied the bags following another Norse error, 17-9.

Game One Facts & Figures

• Every Flame registered a hit in the season-high 21 hit performance. Watts, Wedl and Kaelber all ended with four hits, while James, Crane and Ek each finished with two. Griman, Willis and Wetzel made up UIC's remaining three tabs on the day.
• Wedl finished with five RBI in the game, followed by Watts, who took home three. James and Griman each brought in two, while Willis and Crane each recorded one.
• Karissa Frazier got the start and the win, pitching 3.2 innings. The senior allowed eight earned runs off seven hits while striking out three. Marley Hanlon came on for 0.1 innings and allowed a pair of hits, while Allie Trudeau took credit for the final inning, allowing one earned run off two hits.

Game Two Highlights

• Northern Kentucky strung together five hits and a walk in the top of the third to take a 4-0 lead.
• UIC answered with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the third, tying the game at four. Ek, Kaelber and Watts all singled to load up the bags with Flames, and Wedl sent one up the middle to score a pair, 4-2. Griman followed with UIC's fifth hit of the inning to drive in another pair of runs, bringing the game to a draw.
• Crane singled to lead off the fourth, moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from Wetzel and took third on a groundout from Ek. Kaelber singled to right, allowing Crane to trot in from third and give the Flames the lead, 5-4.
• UIC added an insurance run in the next inning, 6-4. This time it was James with the leadoff single and Griman with the sacrifice bunt, and Willis who singled to left, allowing James to score.
• The Flames got another run in the bottom of the sixth, as Wedl singled and James doubled to put two on with one out. Griman grounded out to third, but both runners advanced, plating Wedl, 7-4.
• The Norse were retired in order in the top of the seventh to secure the win for UIC.

Game Two Highlights

• UIC recorded another 13 hits in game two, compared to seven for the visitors. Watts led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, while Wedl, James and Kaelber all finished with multi-hit showings. Griman, Willis, Crane and Ek each recorded one hit apiece.
• Griman paced the Flames with three RBI. Wedl ended the game with two, while Willis and Kaelber each brought in one.
• Jennah Speth started in the circle for UIC, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing four earned runs off six hits while striking out four. Trudeau pitched the remaining 4.2 innings to earn the win, giving up just one hit while matching her season-high five strikeouts.

Up Next

• UIC wraps up the 2019 home slate next week, hosting Green Bay April 23-24.