CHICAGO – The UIC offense pounded out 13 runs on 16 hits while the Flames pitchers allowed just a pair of hits Tuesday evening as UIC shut out crosstown rival Northwestern, 13-0, in a seven-inning run-rule victory.
 
Northwestern picked up the first of its two hits in the top of the second on a leadoff single before the UIC bats came to life in the home half of the inning. Ryan Nagelbach homered to right field to lead off the frame and make it 1-0 UIC. Four pitches later, Joshua Figueroa sent one to almost the exact same location for the back-to-back home run and double the lead to 2-0.
 
The Flames would bat around in the third, sending 10 batters to the plate in a five-run inning. Breck Nowik had an RBI double, Cole Conn had a sac fly, Naglebach connected on a run-scoring single up the middle, Bobby Grimes drove a run in with a single and Figueroa stole home as part of a double steal to push the UIC advantage to 7-0 after three.
 
After a scoreless fourth, Bryan Rosario had a two-out single to left, allowing Adam Weed to score. Rayth Petersen followed with a single up the middle to plate a pair as the lead ballooned to 10-0.
 
Conn led off the bottom of sixth with a blast to right, his team-leading seventh home run of the season, before Lin-Peistrup drove in two with a double down the right field line.
 
During the offense attack, UIC's pitchers cruised through the game. Utilizing five pitchers in the seven-inning contest, the Flames' bullpen combined to allow just two hits and three walks while striking out seven Wildcats. Only two Northwestern batters would get into scoring position throughout the entire game, as Chris Torres, Sam Menegat, Ryan Smith, Matt Zahora, and Zak Gould combined to pitch a gem.
 
The Flames, winners, of 11 of their last 13 contests, head to Northern Kentucky this Saturday for a doubleheader, with Game 1 scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. (CT).