INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – UIC escaped trouble at every turn and nearly pulled off a game-tying rally in the top of the seventh, but the comeback fell short as Butler defeated the Flames, 3-2, in Indianapolis.

Trailing by a pair of runs entering the final frame, Maica Ingles opened the inning for UIC by reaching safely on a Butler error. Two batters later, Tara McElligott doubled for the second time in the game to give UIC two runners in scoring position with one out. Carlee Jo Clark produced an RBI groundout with one away to pull her team within one, but a line drive to left field was snared to end the contest.

Butler took the lead in the bottom of the first inning with the help of a pair of defensive miscues by UIC. The first hitter for the Bulldogs, Lauren Fey, reached second to start the game before stealing third. She then scored the day's first run for the Bulldogs by way of an error on the Flames.

The home team added another unearned run in the bottom of the third. Bri Avery singled to lead off the frame and would later come around to score on a UIC misplay to make it 2-0 in favor of Butler.

The UIC offense, which had hits in each of the first two innings, came to life again in the top of the fourth. McElligott was hit by pitch to open up before Clark ripped her team's second double of the day to right-center field, giving the Flames a pair in scoring position with nobody out. Alannah Cran walked on a full-count offering and two batters later McElligott scored an unearned run to cut the deficit to one.

Butler had a quick answer, however. Ella White homered on the first pitch she saw in the bottom of the fourth to push the lead quickly back to two runs. The inning continued and following a pitching change, the Bulldogs loaded the bases. Clark, who entered the circle in relief with no outs, escaped a bases-loaded jam by getting a ground ball to Larisa Villa at shortstop that ended the inning.

UIC loaded the bases itself in the top of the fifth and put Villa on with a one-out single in the sixth, but the Flames were unable to convert the opportunities into runs. The visitors broke through for one in the seventh, but it was not quite enough.

Notes

• The Flames are 4-5 in games decided by one run this season.
• Carlee Jo Clark hit fourth for UIC at Butler, making her the 10^th different hitter to bat in that position this season. She went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, collecting her third extra-base hit in the team's last three games.
• After batting cleanup for the Flames in each of the last five games, Dee Dee Caskey moved to the second spot in the order Tuesday. The Indianapolis native went 1-for-4 in a return to her hometown.
• Each team left nine runners on base Tuesday. For UIC, that is the most since April 1 at Northern Kentucky, and only the seventh time this season with nine or more LOB.
• The opposition scored a first-inning run for the 10^th time this season. UIC is 1-9 in those contests.
• Since breaking out for 12 runs in the second game of a doubleheader at Northern Kentucky on April 1, UIC is averaging 2.8 runs in five games since.
• Butler's Mackenzie Griman picked up the win in the circle. She is the sister of former UIC standout Alyssa Griman, who played for the Flames from 2017-20.

Up Next

• UIC returns to Flames Field on Friday, April 15, when it will open a three-game series against current Horizon League leader Oakland at 5 p.m.
• The teams will also play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 16 beginning at 1 p.m.
• The Golden Grizzlies are 9-0 in conference play and 14-8 overall.
• UIC leads the all-time series, 17-12, and has won the last three meetings. The last two games against Oakland came at the 2021 Horizon League Championship.