CHICAGO – UIC dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Robert Morris on a chilly afternoon at Flames Field Friday. The Colonials prevailed in the opener, 8-1, before coming from behind in the finale to win, 13-7.

The Flames (4-18, 1-6 Horizon League) were limited to three hits in the first game and the team was stung by three errors in the field. UIC came alive at the dish, but another trio of errors in the second contest and timely two-out hitting by the opposition lifted the Colonials.

Game 1
UIC's offense sputtered in the opener and defensive miscues hampered as the Flames as Robert Morris collected an 8-1 win in the opener. UIC was limited to only three hits in defeat and its lone tally came in the bottom of the sixth on the help of consecutive errors by the Colonials.

RMU scored in the top of the first inning Friday morning and didn't look back. Following a single and an error by the Flames, the reigning Horizon League Player of the Week Taylor Rhinehart uncorked an RBI double that scored a run. The Colonials tried to push two runs across on the hit, but a well-executed relay from left fielder Hailey Cowing to shortstop Larisa Villa to catcher Samantha Ferguson limited the damage.

The Colonials picked up a run in the third and two more in the fourth. The lead later ballooned to eight after the top of the sixth before the Flames scratched out their lone tally. Maica Ingles reached on a fielding error before Tara McElligott reached on a throwing error. That mistake bounced around long enough that Ingles, who was on second after a wild pitch, was able to score.

Game 2
The scoring started right away in the nightcap, as in the first pitch of the game. RMU's Alaina Koutsogiani deposited the first pitch she saw over the left-field fence for a solo home run. The Flames countered in their half of the first, however, scoring twice to grab their first lead of the twinbill.

Ingles and McElligott were both hit by pitches thrown by RMU's Rachael Rhinehart, and each moved up a base on a wild pitch. Two batters later, freshman Grace Fleming ripped a single to left that scored both and gave UIC a 2-1 advantage.

The Flames struck again in the bottom of the third inning. Alannah Cran flipped a base hit to left field with two down and moved up on a wild pitch before Jojo Santiago blasted an RBI double off the wall in center field.

RMU orchestrated a significant two-out rally in the top of the fourth to regain the lead. The Colonials scored two runs on an RBI double and two more on Koutsogiani's second home run of the game to take a 5-3 lead. The Flames had a solid chance to counter in the bottom of the fourth with singles from Mary Jones and Ingles, but UIC was held off the board by a pair of nifty defensive plays on the infield.

The visiting team padded its lead in the top of the sixth with five more runs. RMU got four hits in the inning, but it was helped significantly by three more UIC errors.

Trailing by 10 in their last at-bat, UIC refused to back down. Facing rain, sleet and swirling winds, the Flames scored four times against reliever Jane Garver. It was not enough, however, and the home team fell by a final of 13-7.

Up Next
Saturday's series finale has been postponed due to cold temperatures. The teams will assess the weather overnight and make a determination on whether a game Sunday is viable. Stay tuned to UICFlames.com for updates.