CHICAGO -- The reigning Horizon League champion UIC baseball team returns home for its second attempt at its home opener. The Flames will play host to Northwestern on Tuesday, March 3, with first pitch slated for 4:05.

FIRST PITCH
• UIC was picked to finish atop the Horizon League this upcoming season, as the league office announced the preseason poll Wednesday (Feb. 12). The Flames received three of the six first-place votes (33 total points), just beating out second-place Wright State (three first-place votes, 32 total points).
• The Flames made their sixth NCAA regional appearance last year after winning the conference title. UIC entered as the No. 2 seed and defeated third-seeded Milwaukee, 6-5, in the championship game. The Flames received the league's automatic postseason berth and competed in the Louisville regional.
• Senior Jacob Key was the preseason selection for Horizon League Pitcher of the Year by D1Basebal, Baseball America and Perfect Game USA while newcomer Nick Lopez was the pick for Freshman of the Year by all three outlets.

LOCK DOWN D
• The Flames have taken care of business in the field, ranking first in the Horizon League and 50th nationally in fielding percetage at .977. 

DINGER DERBY
• Josua Figueroa ranks first in the Horizon League and 60th nationally with three home runs on the year.
• As a team, the Flames rank third in the conference with four homers this season.