FRESNO, Calif. – The UIC softball team (4-5) picked up a win and a loss at two at the Fresno State Invitational, taking a 5-4 walk-off win over UC Santa Barbara (4-10) before finishing out the day with a 6-3 loss to host Fresno State (12-3).

Game Highlights vs. UC Santa Barbara

• UCSB rattled off four hits with two outs to jump out to a 4-0 lead after its first at bat.
• Alyssa Griman put the Flames within one with UIC's first home run of the season, a three-run blast bringing in Maddie Spinks and Kayla Pociejewski, 4-3.
• Tara McElligott, Cassie Kaelber and Pociejewski strung together three singles in the bottom of the sixth to bring a run across and tie the game at four.
• The Flames broke the tie with seventh inning dramatics, as Kayla Wedl drew a walk, stole second and made it into third on a wild pitch. McElligott followed with another walk, and Spinks put the ball in play for a fielder's choice that allowed Wedl to come home, 5-4.

Facts & Figures vs. UC Santa Barbara

• The Gauchos had the advantage in hits, 8-5. Tara McElligott, Maddie Spinks, Cassie Kaelber, Kayla Pociejewski and Alyssa Griman each recorded hits for the Flames.
• Griman's first homer of the season awarded her three RBIs. Spinks picked up the game-winning RBI.
• Marley Hanlon got the start in the circle, pitching 5.0 innings while allowing four earned runs off eight hits. Jennah Speth pitched the remaining 2.0 innings to earn the win, pitching a clean sheet through her six outs.

Game Highlights vs. Fresno State

• The Bulldogs leadoff batter singled, stole second and came around to score on a double in the top of the first, 1-0.
• UIC answered in the top of the second, scoring three runs to take over the lead. Cassie Kaelber starting things off with a single, and Kayla Pociejewski followed with a double to bring her home and tie the game. McKennah Ulrey moved Pociejewski to third with a sacrifice bunt, and Alannah Cran reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners and set up a double steal by Pociejewski and Cran, 2-1. Samantha Ferguson batted a single to left field and Kayla Wedl followed with a sacrifice fly to right, plating Cran, 3-1.
• Fresno State cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third with a single and a triple, 3-2.
• Two leadoff walks were followed by two doubles and a single to allow the Bulldogs to take back the lead in the bottom of the fourth, 6-3.
• UIC loaded the bases in the top of the seventh as Ferguson reached on an error, Alyssa Griman walked and Maddie Spinks was hit by a pitch, but the Flames were unable to bring across a run.

Facts & Figures vs. Fresno State

• The Flames were outhit 8-5 in the nightcap. Samantha Ferguson recorded a multi-hit showing with a pair of hits, while Kayla Wedl, Cassie Kaelber and Kayla Pociejewski each took home one.
• Wedl and Pociejewski took home UIC's two RBIs.
• Allie Trudeau pitched the duration and took the loss, falling to 1-3 on the season. Trudeau allowed five earned runs off eight hits while striking out three.

Up Next

• The Flames will face Big Ten foe Ohio State tomorrow in its tournament finale.