CHICAGO – The UIC baseball team will return home this week to open a five-game home stand, beginning with a Tuesday night contest against Western Illinois. The Flames will return to Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend, as Indiana State comes to town for a three-game set.
 
SCOUTING WESTERN ILLINOIS

• The Fighting Leathernecks come into Chicago with a 3-16 record on the season, having had their conference-opening series be postponed.
• Against common opponent SIUE, Western Illinois went 0-3 in its series March 4-5, losing the first game 11-10 in 11 innings.
• Offensively, the Leathernecks are led by Nick Mitchell, who has started all 18 games this season, and ranks 16^th in Division I baseball with a .442 batting average. The sophomore Carmel, Ind. native is averaging nearly an RBI per game (17), and is slugging .779 on the year, which also ranks top 45 in the NCAA.
• On the pitching side, Western Illinois has struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard, surrendering almost twice as many runs to its opponents (150) as it has scored itself (84). 

Head coach Sean McDermott gives his thoughts on tonight's game against Western Illinois ????#FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/iMn6r0iblr

— UIC Baseball ???? (@UIC_Baseball) March 28, 2023

SCOUTING INDIANA STATE

• The Sycamores enter the week at .500 overall with an 11-11 record, but riding the momentum of a weekend sweep of Valparaiso to open Missouri Valley Conference play. Purdue will visit Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. Tuesday before the Sycamores head to Chicago.
• Seth Gergely leads the way offensively for the Sycamores, as he is the only Indiana State hitter currently batting over .300 (.348). His 16 RBI ranks second on the active roster, and he also leads the team in on base percentage at .489.
• Mike Sears leads the Sycamores with seven home runs, which also ranks him 106^th in the NCAA.
• The Sycamores commonly pitch by committee, with nine pitchers having started at least one game entering this week.

FLAMES FACTS

• The Flames enter the week after dropping their Missouri Valley Conference opening series against Southern Illinois last weekend, following a huge victory at Purdue last Tuesday. The Flames boast a 2-0 record against Big Ten schools this season.
• The dynamic duo of AJ Henkle and Charlie Szykowny continue to lead the way offensively for UIC, as the pair are both hitting over .300 on the season. The two have combined for seven home runs on the year, and account for 30 of the teams 90 RBI.
• UIC continues to shine on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 22^nd in Division I baseball in fielding percentage with a .980 mark on the year.
• Freshman Brandon Bak was stellar in his last start in the second game of Saturday's double-header at Southern Illinois, going seven and two-thirds innings, allowing just one run.

BARK IN THE PARK

• Saturday's game against Indiana State will be the first Bark in the Park game at Granderson Stadium.
• Flames fans and their pups can attend free all Saturday home games in April and May at Curtis Granderson Stadium. Dogs will receive free UIC branded bandanas and get their picture taken with Sparky… be sure to tag @UICFlames on social media!
• PAWS Chicago will be in attendance for the games on April 1 and April 15 to provide information on pet adoption, as well as accepting sign-ups for shelter volunteers. Visit pawschicago.org for more information on adoptions and to donate.
• All fans are encouraged to bring gently used pet supplies that UIC Athletics will donate to local animal shelters. 

PLEDGE PER WIN

• This season, cheer on Flames Baseball and Softball with an exciting new initiative to support our student-athletes!
• Support the Flames in an exciting new way – "Pledge Per Win"!
• Contributing every time the Flames record a victory not only provides a way to celebrate wins, but also to invest directly to UIC's Baseball and Softball programs.   
• Visit this link to make your pledge today!