ROCHESTER, Mich. – The UIC softball team (23-17, 20-10 HL) shared its doubleheader finale with Horizon League foe Oakland (19-13, 18-10 HL) on Saturday, coming up short in the opener, 1-0, before erupting for an 11-8 win in the finale. The Flames were held to just two hits in game one's pitchers' duel, but they immediately bounced back with a 14-hit effort in game two to split the day with the Golden Grizzlies.

Game One Highlights

• Oakland scored the game's sole run in the bottom of the first off a one-out solo home run.
• Isabelle Garcia recorded UIC's first hit in the top of the third with a leadoff single to second, but a fielder's choice, a flyout and a groundout ended UIC's opportunity.
• The Flames were held without another hit until the top of the sixth, when Dee Dee Caskey batted a one-out single to center. A grounder moved her to second, but a flyout would leave her stranded.

Game One Facts & Figures

• The Flames were held to a season-low two hits, compared to eight hits for the Golden Grizzlies. Garcia and Caskey took credit for UIC's two tabs.
• Marley Hanlon pitched the duration and took the loss, allowing one earned run off eight hits in her 6.0 innings.

Game Two Highlights

• Oakland took another 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first in game two after back-to-back singles.
• The Flames tied the game at one in their next at bat. Emma Crowley led off with a double and was replaced on the bases by pinch-runner McKennah Ulrey, who moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Tara McElligott. Garcia drew a walk, putting runners on the corners and setting up a double-steal attempt for the Flames, which allowed Ulrey to score.
• The Golden Grizzlies broke the tie in the bottom of the third with a double and a single, 2-1.
• McElligott led off the top of the fourth with a single, and she moved all the way to third after a sacrifice bunt from Garcia and a wild pitch. Pinch-hitting Larisa Villa doubled to bring in McElligott and tie the game at two, and Kayla Wedl followed with a triple to put the Flames in the lead, 3-2.
• Two singles and a walk allowed the Golden Grizzlies to the game in the bottom of the fourth, and the inning continued with a grand slam to put the home team back in the lead, 7-3.
• UIC made a big reply in the top of the fifth, scoring seven runs to regain the lead. Garcia batted a bases-loaded double to empty the bags and put the Flames within one run, 7-6, which was immediately followed by a triple from Kaelber to tie the game at seven. Following a pitching change for the Golden Grizzlies, Wedl walked and stole second. Maica Ingles grounded out, but it was enough to score Kaelber from third and give UIC the lead, 8-7. Ferguson, Cran and Caskey all followed with singles to bring across another pair of runs, 10-7.
• Two walks and a single brought across a run for Oakland in the bottom of the fifth, 10-8.
• The Flames got the run back in their next at bat, as Kaelber hit a two-out single to the pitcher and scored on the second triple of the day for Wedl, 11-8.

Game Two Facts & Figures

• After struggling to find its bats in game one, the Flames erupted for 14 hits in the finale, compared to 11 for the Golden Grizzlies. All but one starter recorded a hit in the effort, while Wedl, Ferguson, Cran, Crowley and Kaelber led for UIC with multi-hit showings. Caskey, McElligott, Garcia and Villa each collected one hit in the finale.
• Wedl and Garcia led with two RBIs each, while Ingles, Ferguson, Caskey, Kaelber and Villa each recorded one.
• Kaelber crossed the plate a team-high three times, followed by McElligott, who scored two runs. Wedl, Ferguson, Caskey, Crowley, Ulrey and Garcia each scored once for the Flames.
• Christina Toniolo got the start and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing seven earned runs off nine hits. Hanlon pitched 3.2 innings of relief to earn the win, allowing one earned run off two hits to improve to 7-4 on the season.  

Up Next

• UIC will finish out its eight-game road trip next weekend with four games at IUPUI.