UIC softball Head Coach Lynn Curylo announced the Flames' schedule for the upcoming 2023 season Wednesday.

The Flames begin the season with a month-long tour of tournaments as they crisscross America from Feb. 10 - Mar. 5.

The season begins on Feb. 10 at Georgia Tech's Buzz Classic in Atlanta, as the Flames face the Yellow Jackets, North Texas, St. Francis, and the Connecticut Huskies.

The following week, UIC travels to California's Central Valley to play Idaho State, Iowa State, Seattle, and Fresno State in the Bulldog's Kickoff Classic with first pitch slated for Feb. 16.

The team then returns to the East Coast, landing in Tampa for the USF Invitational and contests against the Bulls, Michigan State, the Tennessee Volunteers and two games against the Clemson Tigers.

The Flames conclude pre-Missouri Valley Conference play with a visit to Norman, Okla. to compete against the Kentucky Wildcats and the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sooner Invitational, hosted by the defending national champions.

Competing against the top softball programs in the nation is a tall challenge, but one that Curylo knows her program is ready to take on.

"The strength of our schedule is awesome," Curylo said. "It's going to prepare our players to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference."

The Flames open their inaugural season in the MVC with a series at Indiana State, beginning on St. Patrick's Day, Mar. 17. They remain on the road for games against Northwestern and Eastern Illinois following that series.

UIC returns to Flames Field on March 24 for their home opening series against Northern Iowa and later close out the month on the road at Illinois State.

The Flames return home for a five-game home stand, beginning on Apr. 4, with a game against Valparaiso followed by a three-game series against the Belmont Bruins. UIC finishes their run at Flames Field with a match-up against Chicagoland rival Loyola on Apr. 12.

MVC play beckons two days later as the Flames hit the road for three games against Missouri State and a single game at Valpo on Apr. 19.

The Flames final home stand of the season begins on Apr. 21, with a three-game series against the Evansville Purple Aces (Apr. 21-24), followed by a single game against Valpo on Apr. 25. The Bradley Braves visit Flames Field for three games (Apr. 28-30) before the Butler Bulldogs serve as UIC's home finale on May 3. The Flames' regular season concludes in Des Moines, IA when they take on the Drake Bulldogs (May 5-7).

Following the rigorous regular season campaign, the Flames will compete for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Softball Tournament. Southern Illinois will host the MVC Tournament beginning May 10, in Carbondale, Ill.

Curylo, entering her seventh season leading the Flames softball program, is excited about the upcoming season, UIC's first in the Missouri Valley Conference.

"I think our move to the Missouri Valley Conference is great, not only for our program but for UIC," Curylo said. "The Valley has a lot of strong softball programs with a history of winning, as well as outstanding coaches throughout the league."

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