CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (12-12, 9-5 HL) picked up a pair of wins over Horizon League foe Northern Kentucky (5-17, 4-10 HL) on Friday, defeating the Norse 6-1 in game one and taking a 6-2 win in game two.

In game one, the Flames spread across their six runs over six innings, scoring one run in the first, third and fourth innings before putting up a three spot in the bottom of the fifth. In game two, a solo home run from Kayla Wedl, and RBI single from Samantha Ferguson and the first career home run for freshman Isabelle Garcia made up UIC's six runs.  

Game One Highlights

• The Flames drew first blood, scoring in their first at bat. Kayla Wedl drew a walk to leadoff the game, stole second and advanced to third on a deep foul out off the batt of Samantha Ferguson. Emma Crowley forced a Norse error, which allowed Wedl to score, 1-0.
• Northern Kentucky tied the game at one after two walks and a single in the top of the third, 1-1.
• UIC took back the lead in its next at bat, and it was Wedl again who scored, reaching on a fielder's choice, stealing second and scoring on a grounder from Ferguson, 2-1.
• The Flames added a run in the bottom of the fourth, as Maica Ingles and Jordyn Cebedo batted back-to-back doubles, 3-1.
• UIC doubled its run total in the bottom of the fifth. Wedl led off with a hit-by-pitch, stole second again and moved to third on a fielder's choice off the bat of Crowley. Larissa Villa put down a grounder, but it was enough to bring in Wedl, 4-1. Alannah Cran followed with a triple, bringing in Crowley, 5-1, and she came in to score herself on a wild pitch, 6-1.
• The Norse threatened with a pair of base runners in the top of the seventh, but the Flames defense kept them from scoring, securing the 6-1 victory.

Game One Facts & Figures

• UIC had the advantage in hits, 6-4. Cassie Kaelber took credit for half, ending the day with a perfect 3-for-3 showing. Alannah Cran, Maica Ingles and Jordyn Cebedo took credit for the remaining three.
• Kayla Wedl scored half of UIC's six runs, while Emma Crowley, Cran and Ingles scored the other three.
• Larissa Villa, Cran and Cebedo each took home RBIs.
• Christina Toniolo got the start but was removed during the top of the third after 2.2 innings of work, giving up one earned run off two hits. Marley Hanlon came on in relief and got the win, pitching the remaining 4.1 innings and allowing no runs off two hits.

Game Two Highlights

• Kayla Wedl started off game two with a bang, batting her seventh home run of the season over the fence in left field to give the Flames a 1-0 lead after their first at bat.
• Northern Kentucky took the lead off one swing with a two-run home run in the top of the third, 2-1.
• The Flames made their reply in their half of the third, as Dee Dee Caskey led off with a double, Wedl walked and Samantha Ferguson put a ball down the right field line to score them both, 3-2.
• Isabelle Garcia stepped in to pinch hit in the bottom of the sixth and extended UIC's lead to four with her first career home run – a three run shot that landed just over the fence in right center, 6-2.
• The Norse batted a one-out single in the top of the seventh, but the next two batters grounded out to end the threat.

Game Two Facts & Figures

• Northern Kentucky finished with a slight edge in hits, 6-5. Kayla Wedl finished with a multi-hit performance, collecting a pair of hits. Samantha Ferguson, Isabell Garcia and Dee Dee Caskey made up UIC's remaining three tabs.
• Garcia's three-run shot gave her a team-high three RBIs. Ferguson also collected a pair of RBIs, while Wedl drove in one.
• Wedl led with two runs, while Tara McElligott, Maica Ingles, Garcia and Caskey each scored once.
• Miranda Gomez got the start, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing two runs off two hits while striking out four. Christina Toniolo pitched the remaining 3.2 innings to earn the win, putting her at 7-4 on the season. Toniolo gave up zero runs off four hits while striking out three.

Up Next

• The four-game series wraps up tomorrow with another doubleheader.
• First pitch is set for 1 p.m. CT.