CHICAGO – The UIC softball team's five-game homestand is set to end Wednesday night when they host Loyola in this nonconference match-up. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and can be listened to live on the Flames Network. Sam Brief and Kacy Standohar will be on call for the game.

CROSS TOWN RIVARLY RENEWED

• This will be 97^th time the Flames and the Ramblers are set to compete on the diamond. The have played one another consistently since 1984. The Flames have a 69-27 lead in the overall series.
• The Ramblers have won three out of the last five meetings against each other. The Flames however won in the last game back on Apr. 2, 2019; 2-1.
• Loyola currently sports a 2-2 record against Missouri Valley Conference opponents, with wins in a doubleheader against Bradley on Mar. 28. The Rambler's record stands at 18-14 overall this season.
• UIC (0-35, 0-12 MVC) enters this game on the conclusion of its homestand after facing off against Valparaiso and Belmont last week.
• Senior Amelia Thomas continues to contribute with a bat in her hands for the Ramblers. She has batted .344 on the season with a team-leading 32 hits and .505 slugging percentage.
• Sophomore Peyton Pepkowski has seen the most time in the circle for the Ramblers this season/ In 19 appearances, she has a 2.83 ERA and has stricken out 96 batters.

TONIOLO-ING THE RUBBER

• Senior Christina Toniolo had one of her strongest weeks in the circle this past week. She made three appearances and two starts against Valparaiso and Belmont.
• Alongside junior Miranda Gomez, they struck out seven batters against Valparaiso for a new season-high for the Flames on Wednesday.
• 48 hours later, Toniolo pitched a complete game in an extra innings thriller against Belmont. She threw 9.0 innings, struck out seven with only one earned run to her name.
• She finished the weekend with a 2.08 ERA with 12 Ks in 17.1 innings pitched.

MAICA MAKIN' NOISE

• Leading this way offensively on the homestand is redshirt senior Maica Ingles. She is currently batting .286 over the past four games.
• She went 2-for-4 against Valparaiso last Tuesday, scoring the Flames lone run of the game.
• Ingles also secured two hits in the three-game series against Belmont.
• She leads the Flames in hits (23) and stolen bases (6) this season.

ANNA'S AWESOMNESS

• With three hits so far in the homestand, junior Anna Walker has been in staple in the heart of the lineup for UIC.
• Walker secured the lone RBI against Valparaiso when her fielder's choice scored Ingles late in the game.
• She batted .500 in the last two games against Belmont. She has the second-most hits on the team this homestand with three.

PRIDE NIGHT

• Wednesday's game against Loyola is also UIC's Pride Night.
• UIC was recently named among the top 40 "Best of the Best," LGBTQ-Friendly College and Universities by Campus Pride.
• Campus Pride is the preeminent resource for LGBTQ+ leadership development, diversity, inclusion, advocacy in higher education.
• The first 300 fans in attendance will receive a UIC Flames Pride t-shirt.

#VSCANCER

• In collaboration with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, members of the UIC softball program are raising money in the fight against pediatric brain tumors and childhood cancer.
• This be an ongoing fundraiser throughout the month of April and will culminate on April 28 when UIC hosts Bradley to begin a three-game series.
• Fans are encouraged to go to the Flames Vs. Cancer home page to donate.