CHICAGO - The UIC softball team's 2023 season is set to begin on Friday, as the Flames travel to Atlanta, Georgia to compete in Georgia Tech's Buzz Classic over the weekend.

The Flames are coming off a 13-32 season in 2022. This season is a new chapter for the program with UIC joining the Missouri Valley Conference in July 2022.

Most of the Flames core from last season is set to return. Redshirt senior utility Maica Ingles led the team in hits (40) and runs scored (30) last year. Junior Dee Dee Caskey tied for second in RBI (15) and was the team leader in stolen bases (5). She was also named to the Horizon League's 2022 All Academic Team.

The Flames are led in the circle by Carlee Jo Clark, Christina Toniolo and Alyssa McIntosh. Clark led the Flames with six wins, threw seven complete games and was second in innings pitched with 91.1 last season. Toniolo led the team in strikeouts (59) and overall appearances (31). McIntosh posted the team best 1.6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in all games in her 19 appearances. Miranda Gomez also returns to the circle after 15 appearances for the Flames last season. 

UIC will take on five programs ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Preseason Poll, including two programs that reached the 2022 Women's College World Series.
BUZZ CLASSIC

• The Flames have a busy weekend taking on North Texas (Feb. 10; 8:00 a.m.), St. Francis (Feb. 10; 1:00 p.m., Feb. 11 8:00 a.m.), UConn (Feb. 11; 1:00 p.m.) and Georgia Tech (Feb. 12; 12:00 p.m.).
• North Texas, St. Francis and Georgia Tech are all fresh off appearances in NCAA Regional Tournament play in 2022. 
• This will be the first time UIC and North Texas are set to compete on the softball diamond.
• The Flames will be seeking redemption against St. Francis after they lost 4-3 in eight innings in back in 2021. The is the second time the two schools have face off against each other.
• UIC has winning records against Georgia Tech (5-2) and UConn (5-0).

FRESNO STATE KICKOFF CLASSIC

• Just three days after the Buzz Classic, the Flames travel to Fresno, Calif. to compete in Fresno State's Kickoff Classic beginning on Feb. 16.
• The Flames are set to battle the Bulldogs (Feb. 16; 8:00 p.m.), Iowa State (Feb. 17; 12:30 p.m.), Seattle (Feb. 17; 3:00 p.m.) and a double header against Idaho State on Feb. 18 beginning at noon.

TOP COMPETITION IN NON-CONFERNCE TOURNAMENTS

• UIC will be traveling to Tampa Bay to compete at the USF Invitational starting Feb. 24. They take on Michigan State, USF, #9 Clemson, #12 Tennessee.
• The Bulls, Tigers and Volunteers all made appearances in NCAA Regional Tournament play last year.
• The Flames nonconference tournament play concludes with a trip down to Norman, Oklahoma to compete in the OU Tournament starting on March 3.
• UIC will find themselves facing off against ##16 Kentucky and #1 Oklahoma over the weekend.
• The Sooners are the reigning National Champions

MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE

• In preseason ranking, the Flames were ranked #11.
• The Flames begin MVC play on the road on St. Patrick's Day, when they take on Indiana State on March 17.
• A week later, UIC will host their home opening series, facing off against UNI March 24-26 at Flames Field. The Panthers finished in first in the MVC regular season standings a year ago.
• The Flames take on the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Champion Missouri State on the road for a three-game series beginning April 14.

MIDWEST RIVARLIES RENEWED

• Throughout conference play, the Flames will battle it out with opponents throughout the region. UIC plays at #8 Northwestern (March 21) and Eastern Illinois (March 22) and at home against Loyola (April 12) and Butler (May 3).
• Northwestern is coming off a 2022 Women's College World Series appearance after a 45-13 2022 season.
• The game against Butler is the final home game of the year for UIC.

PLEDGE PER WIN

• This season, fans can partake in UIC's, "Pledge Per Win," initiative. Fans can make a pledge for every win that the softball team accomplishes this season.

FOLLOWING THE FLAMES

• Follow the Flames 2023 schedule to remain up to date throughout the season.