TAMPA BAY, FLA. – The UIC Softball team (0-8) returns to the East Coast beginning Friday to take part in the USF Invitational in Tampa Bay.

This will be the first time in the season the Flames are facing programs ranked in USA Today / NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll.

MICHIGAN STATE

• This will be the 12^th time UIC, and Michigan State will be meeting on the diamond, and the first since 2016. The Spartans lead the series overall, 6-5. The Flames defeated the Spartans in their last matchup on March 20, 2016, 7-6 at the Hoosier Classic in Indiana.
• The Spartans are 5-4 in 2023 The last time they made an NCAA Regional appearance was in 2004.
• Freshman Mandy Esman has had a strong start for the Spartans at the plate. She has 20 total bases, 10 hits, five extra bases and one homerun. Esman is hitting .345 on the season.
• Junior Ashley Miller continues to have a good season in the circle. In over 38.1 innings of pitching, she has 1.28 ERA, struck out 49 opponents and has walked 11.
• First pitch against Michigan State is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m.

#5 CLEMSON

• This will be the first time UIC and #5 Clemson are set to compete against one another on the diamond.
• In only two seasons as a varsity program, the Tigers have already become one of the best teams in the nation and are ranked fifth in the most recent Top 25. In their first full season in 2021, the Tigers went 44-8, won the ACC Championship and made it to the NCAA Regional Tournament in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In 2022, they made it into the Super Regionals after a 42-17 season.
• The Tigers have a 10-0 record in 2023. They have wins over #17 Georgia (7-3) and #19 Northwestern (4-4).
• Junior Valerie Cagle leads their offense with six homeruns, a batting average of .556 and is slugging over 1.194%. Cagle is often found in the circle as well for the Tigers, pitching three complete games in her 11 appearances this season.
• The Flames face the Tigers Friday at 12:30 p.m.

#12 TENNESSEE

• The Flames and the Volunteers are set to compete for the ninth time against one another, but their first since 2019.
• The 2022 season finished the 19^th season of 40 plus wins and a third-place finish in the SEC with a 41-18 record. The Vols fell to Oregon State in the regional round of the 2022 Women's College World Series. 
• Tennessee currently holds a 6-1 record with their only defeat coming against Cal State Fullerton (5-3) on Feb. 18.
• Eight members of this year's Volunteers squard are currently above .300 at the plate. Senior Mackenzie Donihoo has a team-leading 11 hits.
• The Flames take on UT Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and finish the tournament against the Volunteers on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

USF

• The Flames will be facing off against the Bulls for the first time this weekend.
• USF has made it to the NCAA Regional Tournament 16 times in program history, with its lone WCWS appearance coming in 2012. The Bulls have a 2-7 record this season.
• Senior Emilee Hanon has the strongest batting average (.462) for the Bulls. Megan Sheehan has a team-leading nine hits.
• The tandem of freshman Payton Dixon and senior Gabriella Nori have struck out 33 batters this season.
• The Flames are set to take on the Bulls on Saturday, first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
• This will be the only game available to stream on ESPN+ for the Flames at the USF Invitational. 

Stay tune to Softball's Twitter page for live updates throughout the weekend.