CHICAGO – The No. 1 UIC softball team (32-21) stayed hot on Friday afternoon with an 8-0 (5) run-rule victory over No. 2 Detroit Mercy (28-26). The win locked in the Flames for tomorrow's championship game, marking the program's 15th championship appearance and third-consecutive title contest.  

Game Highlights

• UIC played small ball in the bottom of the first to get their first run on the board. Lexi Watts led off with a bunt and Kayla Wedl followed with a single to the left-field gap. Skylee James moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt and Alyssa Griman put a grounder down the first-base line, allowing Watts to score from third, 1-0.
• The Flames tacked on two more in the bottom of the second of a bases-loaded single up the middle off the bat of James, 3-0.
• Emily Wetzel and Schyler Ek batted back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the third, and consecutive walks for Watts and Wedl brought in another run, 4-0.
• UIC doubled its lead with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Griman, Tara McElligott and Ek all drew walks to load up the bags with Flames, and two more walks from Crane and Kaelber brought in two more runs, 6-0. Watts hit into a fielder's choice, but the bases remained loaded for Wedl, who belted one into the left-field corner, scoring both Crane and Kaelber and push UIC into run-rule territory, 8-0.
• Detroit Mercy's leadoff batter got on with a bunt, but a sacrifice bunt, an infield popup and a strikeout left her stranded on second and gave the Flames the run-rule win.

Facts & Figures

• UIC ended the day with seven hits, compared to just two for the Titans. It was the second-straight game the Flames pitching staff held its opponent to just a pair of hits.
• Watts and Wedl both recorded multi-hit showings to lead the Flames. James, Wetzel, and Ek each recorded one hit as well.
• Wedl drove in three runs to lead the Flames. James grabbed a pair of RBI, while Griman, Crane and Kaelber also took home one RBI.
• James and Wedl both kept their hitting streaks alive, with James pushing her streak to 24 games, while Wedl extended her streak to 22 games.
• Marley Hanlon was lights out in the circle for the Flames, allowing just two hits and no runs in her 5.0 inning win.

Up Next

• UIC will face either No. 2 Detroit Mercy or No. 4 Northern Kentucky in tomorrow's championship. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.