CHICAGO -- UIC will look to climb up the Horizon League standings this weekend as it opens a seven-game homestand with an important three-game series against Horizon League rival Milwaukee. The set begins at Granderson Stadium on Friday, May 3 at 4 p.m., and continues with single games on Saturday and Sunday.

The Flames (18-19, 11-9 Horizon League) begin the weekend in third place in the Horizon League standings. Wright State, which topped UIC three times at Nischwitz Stadium last weekend, is in first place with a conference record of 14-7. The Raiders have a half-game lead on Milwaukee (26-15, 13-7), which leapfrogged the Flames after a three-game sweep over Northern Kentucky at home last weekend.

The Panthers hosted UIC at Henry Aaron Field in a weather-shortened series in Wisconsin on March 29-30. The Flames had a fantastic weekend at the plate as they outscored the home team 31-10 in just two games. In the opener, UIC scored nine times in the first two innings and Scott Ota homered twice to help take down the Panthers, 10-4. On March 30, UIC scored a season-high 21 runs en route to a 15-run victory. Freshman Ryan Hampe went 5-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI, while every member of UIC's starting lineup had at least one hit or drove in a run. On the weekend the Flames hit .360 with nine doubles and four home runs. Six UIC batters tallied at least three RBI in the two-game sweep.

Milwaukee has one of the most prolific offensive attacks in the Horizon League. The Panthers are batting a League-best .320 in conference games and they lead all teams in hits (237) and runs (175). UIC is third in all three categories with an average of .282 and 190 hits and 122 runs. On the other side, the Flames have the best ERA among conference teams at 3.80 in League games and 3.82 overall.

UIC has won eight consecutive games against Milwaukee, including two in the 2018 Horizon League Tournament. Overall the Flames have been victorious in 14 of the last 16 games against MKE dating back to April 16, 2016.

All three games will be available on ESPN3. Links to the broadcasts are available in the blue box above.