The UIC Flames softball team is back in action for the opening game of the season against the Cal Poly Mustangs. This will be the first game of the Flames five-game weekend in San Diego, Calif. UIC will face the Mustangs on Friday, Feb. 11, at 1:30 p.m. and will follow that game with a match-up against the hosting team, San Diego State.

The Flames will face San Diego State at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Stanford (6:30 p.m.) and San Diego State again (9:00 p.m.) on Saturday, and Middle Tennessee State (11:00 a.m.) to round out the weekend on Sunday, Feb. 13. 

UIC enters the first game of the season pegged to finish third in the Horizon League by the head coaches. The Flames won the conference championship in 2021, holding a 23-11 Horizon League record; 29-23 overall. The Flames are returning All-League First Team catcher/designated hitter Samantha Ferguson, All-League Second Team outfielder Alannah Cran and All-Freshman Team utility player Dee Dee Caskey to the 2022 roster. 

The Flames lone senior, Tara McElligott, returns as the leader of the team. The infielder is one of the most consistent players on the team and is always a threat to get on base, notching 21 walks and 36 hits in the 2021 season. McElligott is also a threat on the base paths, going a perfect 10-10 in steals last season.

The Flames have been one of the top teams in the Horizon League since the arrival of Coach Lynn Curylo. Under Curylo, the Flames are 142-100. The Flames were undefeated at home last season, going 14-0. The Flames have held an impressive 56-11 home record during Curylo's coaching tenure. UIC has also managed to win three conference championships in Curylo's five prior seasons.

The first pitch of the 2022 season is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 11, at 1:30 p.m. CT against Cal Poly.