DAYTON, Ohio – The UIC softball team (29-21, 19-4 HL) played to a doubleheader split on Friday evening at Wright State (22-32, 9-14 HL). Timely hitting escaped the Flames in game one, as they fell 4-2, but UIC was able to find its rhythm late in game two to come away with a 6-1 win to share the day.

Game One Highlights

• The Raiders got a 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the second.
• UIC tied the game at one in the top of the third with a pair of two-out singles from Lexi Watts and Kayla Wedl. The throw to third in an effort to catch Watts went wide, allowing her to score.
• Alyssa Griman led off the fourth with a walk and Tara McElligott singled to left, putting two on for the Flames. A passed ball advanced both runners, and a single from Emily Wetzel drove in Griman and put UIC ahead, 2-1.
• Three hits, a Flames error and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth gave the Raiders a pair of runs and the lead, 3-2.
• A bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth pushed Wright State's lead to two, 4-2.
• James and McElligott singled to give UIC a pair of base runners in the top of the sixth, but the next two batters grounded out without a run crossing the plate.

Game One Facts & Figures

• The Flames tallied 10 hits, despite only scoring two runs. Watts led the way with a trio of hits, followed by Wedl, James and McElligott with two each. Wetzel grabbed the final hit for UIC, as well as its only RBI.
• Both James and Wedl extended their hit streaks, bringing James's streak to 20 and Wedl's to 18.
• Allie Trudeau got the start and took the loss, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing three earned runs off four hits. Marley Hanlon took credit for 0.2 innings, and Karissa Frazier pitched the final 1.0 inning.

Game Two Highlights

• UIC grabbed a 1-0 lead in its first at bat off two hits and a Wright State miscue. Watts reached on that miscue and landed on second, while Griman looked at four balls to put runners on first and second. McElligott put a blooper single into shallow right, allowing Watts to round third and come home.
• The Raiders tied the game in the bottom of the second with a leadoff home run, 1-1.
• The Flames finally broke the tie in the top of the sixth, 2-1. Claire Crane singled, pulled into second on a passed ball and made it all the way home on a single to left off the bat of Schyler Ek.
• UIC created some distance in its final at bat with four runs. Watts and Wedl singled, putting runners on the corners, and Wedl stole second to close the gap. James doubled to right center, bringing them both in, 4-1. McElligott drew a walk and Crane was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and a fielder's choice off the bat of Ek scored both James and McElligott, 6-1.
• Two strikeouts and an infield pop up retired the Raiders in order in the bottom of the seventh, securing the win for UIC.

Game Two Facts & Figures

• UIC recorded 11 hits to Wright State's four. Watts, James, Crane and Ek each ended with multi-hit showings, while Wedl, McElligott and Kaelber each grabbed one hit.
• James and Wedl once again extended their hit streaks in game two. James's streak is now at 21, while Wedl's is at 19.
• Hanlon got the start and the win, improving to 7-5 on the season. Frazier closed out the game, pitching the seventh.

Up Next

• UIC and Wright State will close out the series tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT.