CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (16-12, 13-5 HL) won its fifth and sixth-straight games on Tuesday afternoon, earning a doubleheader sweep over IUPUI (7-19, 5-11 HL) to close out its longest homestand of the season. The Flames utilized the long ball in game one, batting a trio of home runs to take down the Jags, 6-1. In game two, Maica Ingles broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the ninth with an RBI single up the middle to walk off the game for the Flames, 3-2.

Game One Highlights

• Samantha Ferguson was the first Flame to send one over the fence in game one, batting her second home run of the season in the bottom of the first to put UIC ahead 1-0.
• The Flames added a run in the bottom of the third, as Kayla Wedl tripled and scored on a ground out from Ferguson, 2-0.
• Tara McElligott led off the bottom of the fourth with her fourth home run of the season, pushing UIC's lead to three, 3-0.
• Emma Crowley became the third Flame to send one out of the park in the bottom of the fifth, sending a two-run shot out over the fence in center, 5-0.
• A one-out double stole third and scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth to get IUPUI on the board, 5-1.
• The Flames picked up one more run in their final at bat, as Maica Ingles singled, stole second and came in to score on a double from the pinch-hitting Annmarie Sillas, 6-1.
• The Jags were retired in order in the top of the seventh, wrapping up a 6-1 win for UIC.

Game One Facts & Figures

• The Flames held a comfortable advantage in hits, 10-4. Wedl, Ferguson and McElligott each finished with a pair of hits, while Crowley, Ingles, Maddie Spinks and Sillas each finished with one.
• Ferguson and Crowley drove in two runs apiece to lead the Flames. McElligott and Sillas also picked up one RBI each.
• Ferguson was the only Flame to score twice, while Wedl, Crowley, McElligott and Ingles each scored once.
• Christina Toniolo got the start and the win, improving to 9-4 on the season. Toniolo pitched 5.1 innings, gave up zero runs and allowed just three hits while striking out three during her time in the circle. Marley Hanlon pitched the remaining 1.2 innings, allowing one earned run off one hit.

Game Two Highlights

• McElligott homered again to lead off the bottom of the second and start off the scoring for UIC, 1-0. The inning continued as Ingles singled, advanced to second on a groundout and moved to third on a single from Spinks. Cassie Kaelber batted a single at the shortstop, allowing Ingles to score, 2-0.
• The Jags tied the game in the top of the sixth with a pair of runs off a walk, two singles and a double steal, 2-2.
• With neither team in the lead after seven, the game continued into extras. In the bottom of the ninth, McElligott led off the inning with an infield single, and she moved over to second after a failed pickoff attempt from IUPUI. Ingles stepped up to the plate and sent one up the middle, bringing McElligott around from second and handing the Flames the 3-2 walk-off win.  

Game Two Facts & Figures

• UIC finished with more hits, 8-7. Wedl, McElligott and Ingles all collected multi-hit showings, while Spinks and Kaelber picked up the remaining two tabs.
• McElligott, Ingles and Kaelber took credit for UIC's three RBIs.
• McElligott scored twice, while Ingles scored once in the walk-off win.
• Alyssa McIntosh got the start and gave a quality outing, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing no runs and just three hits. Toniolo pitched one inning of relief and surrendered two earned runs off two hits. Hanlon finished out the remaining 3.0 innings to earn the win, putting her at 3-1 on the season so far. The senior gave up no runs and two hits during her time in the circle.  

Up Next

• The Flames will hit the road this weekend to face Robert Morris.