CHICAGO – The UIC softball team (26-21) finished out the regular season on Saturday with a doubleheader loss against city-rival DePaul (25-9). The Blue Demon defense held the Flames to just one run across the two games, as UIC fell 4-1 in game one and 4-0 game two.

Timely hitting eluded the Flames in game one, as all but one starter registered a hit, but only one run came across. UIC was held to just four hits in game two, due in large part to strong defensive plays made by the Blue Demons.   

Game One Highlights

• Kayla Wedl led off the game with a double and she moved to third on a wild pitch. Maica Ingles followed with a single to left, plating Wedl and giving the Flames an early 1-0 lead.
• After four scoreless innings, DePaul plated four runs in the bottom of the fifth off two singles, two walks and a three-run homer to take over the lead, 4-1.
• Tara McElligott and Maddie Spinks batted singles in the top of the sixth, but the DePaul defense kept them both from scoring.
• Isabelle Garcia reached on an error to lead off the top of the seventh and Emma Crowley batted an infield single, but the next three batters all flew out to end the Flames' late threat.

Game One Facts & Figures

• The Flames had the advantage in hits, 9-5. McElligott led with two hits, while Wedl, Ingles, Crowley, Spinks, Samantha Ferguson, Cassie Kaelber and Dee Dee Caskey each recorded one.
• UIC put a base runner on in all but one inning but were unable to capitalize, leaving seven runners stranded in game one.
• Ingles picked up UIC's lone RBI of the day, while Wedl scored the Flames' lone run.
• Christina Toniolo got the start and took the loss, falling to 12-7 on the season. The sophomore allowed three earned runs off three hits in 4.1 innings of work. Miranda Gomez faced one batter in the bottom of the fifth, allowing one earned run off one hit. Marley Hanlon dealt the final 1.2 innings and allowed one hit during her time in the circle.

Game Two Highlights

• Back-to-back RBI doubles gave the Blue Demons a 2-0 lead at the end of the first inning.
• DePaul extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run and an RBI single, 4-0.
• The DePaul defense robbed a two-run homer from Crowley in the top of the fifth, making a catch over the fence in center.
• A single from Caskey was the lone hit for the Flames in the final two innings as they fell by a final tally of 4-0.  

Game Two Facts & Figures

• DePaul tallied more hits in the finale, 7-4. Ingles, Ferguson, Kaelber and Caskey collected UIC's tabs.
• Alyssa McIntosh started in the circle and took the loss, allowing two earned runs off three hits in 1.0 inning of work. Christina Toniolo pitched the final 5.0 innings and allowed two earned runs off four hits.

Up Next

• The Flames will begin preparing for the Horizon League Softball Championship. The double-elimination tournament will begin on Thursday, May 13 and will be hosted by regular-season champion Youngstown State. Seeding and opponents will be announced as they become available.