NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – A late-inning rally by the UIC baseball team was not enough Sunday (March 7), as the Flames dropped a 4-2 decision to No. 2 Vanderbilt in the final game of the three-game series between the Flames and Commodores.
 
After three scoreless innings, the Commodores struck first with a trio of runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run shot to left center.
 
The Flames battled back with two runs in the sixth thanks to some small ball action. After Thomas Smart was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, an infield single by Bryan Rosario put two on with nobody out before a Vandy error loaded the bases.
 
A second infield single, this time by Thomas Norton, plated the first run of the game for the Flames. Ryan Nagelbach, making his first collegiate start, laid down a perfectly executed bunt to drive home Rosario. UIC's bases loaded threat would come to an end as the next two batters were retired.
 
A one-out double by Smart in the seventh put UIC in scoring position, but the Flames were unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunity. The Commodores countered with a run in the bottom half of the inning behind a sacrifice fly.
 
Three Flames, Nagelbach, Adam Weed and Bobby Grimes made their first career start for the Flames Sunday afternoon.
 
UIC returns home to open Horizon League play and the home portion of its 2021 season this Friday-Sunday, as the Flames welcome Milwaukee to Curtis Granderson Stadium.