CLEVELAND – UIC was limited to only four total hits across two games and the Flames were hampered by seven errors as Cleveland State won both ends of a doubleheader Saturday. The Vikings claimed a low-scoring opener, 2-0, before emerging with a 6-2 victory in the rubber match.
Game 1 Recap
For the second time in the series, UIC got off to a sluggish offensive start.
Hailey Cowing looked to spark a rally when she led off the top of the third inning with a triple for her team's first hit of the ballgame, but the Flames could not take advantage of the opportunity and drive her home following a pair of pop-ups on the infield and a ground ball to end the threat.
Cleveland State notched the day's first run in the bottom of the third and added another in the fifth to double the lead. Both runs came courtesy of RBI triples.
The Flames picked up another extra-base hit to open the top of the sixth.
Emma Crowley roped a double to left-center field, but CSU cut her down trying to steal third base for the first out. Back-to-back groundouts followed and UIC could not trim its deficit.
UIC put one runner, Dee Dee Caksey, on base via balls in the top of the seventh, but could not score as CSU evened the series at a game apiece with a 2-0 victory.
Game 2 Recap
The Vikings were quick to get on the scoreboard in the first frame of game two. CSU collected three hits, but also took advantage of two UIC errors to plate three runs for an early lead.
The Flames had a quick response, however, in the top of the second. Caskey reached on an error to start and following a
Grace Fleming double, UIC had a pair in scoring position with nobody out.
Jojo Santiago reached on an error next and Caskey scored. Two batters later, Crowley notched a sacrifice fly that cut the visiting team's deficit to one, down 3-2.
Cleveland State added on in the bottom of the third, adding two unearned runs with the aid of three more defensive miscues for the Flames. Later, an RBI triple in the fifth inning pushed the Vikings lead to four runs at 6-2.
Notes
- Hailey Cowing was the top hitter on the weekend for UIC, batting .429 with two triples, two RBI and two runs scored. The freshman also registered a pair of sacrifices.
- In four games this week, Emma Crowley hit four doubles and had a team-high four RBI for UIC.
- While UIC was limited to only two hits in game one, both went for extra bases.
- The Flames were held to less than two runs for the 23rd and 24th time in 2022 on Saturday.
- UIC lost only its second Horizon League road series of the season, and the first since March 10 at Purdue Fort Wayne.
Up Next
- UIC will return to Chicago to host its next four contests.
- The homestand begins on Wednesday, May 4, when the Louisville Cardinals fly in for a non-conference game at 5:30 p.m.
- It will be the fifth meeting all-time between the two programs and the first in Chicago.
- The Flames close out the regular season on May 6-7 with three games at home against IUPUI.
