NASHVILLE, Tenn. – UIC and #2 Vanderbilt met Saturday afternoon for Game 2 of the three-game series at Hawkins Field. The Flames struck first but were unable to hold onto the lead as the Commodores pulled away late to earn the 5-2 victory.
 
The Flames (1-4) put the pressure on the Commodores early in Saturday's contest, as UIC had runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings. The visitors finally cashed in on a scoring opportunity in the top of the third, plating the game's first run to take a 1-0 lead over Vanderbilt.
 
With one away, Matt Bottcher doubled down the right field line before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Joshua Figueroa drove in the run with an RBI groundout, but the threat came to an end with a runner left on third.
 
The Commodores evened the score at 1-all with a solo shot in the bottom half of the inning and jumped ahead, 2-1, behind a pair of hits in the fifth. The game opened up in favor of Vandy in the seventh, as the hosts struck for three runs on four hits to take a 5-1 lead.
 
UIC looked to battle back after adding a run in the top of the eighth. Bryan Rosario led off the inning with a double and came around to score on an infield single by Thomas Smart. But a pair of double plays turned by Vanderbilt in the final two innings kept the Flames out of reach.
 
Jacob Key battled on the mound for the Flames, scattering seven hits and three walks around six innings of action while giving up two runs and striking out six.
 
The three-game series will come to an end Sunday afternoon, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network +.