SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The UIC softball team returns to Missouri Valley Conference play in a three-game series against Missouri State entering the weekend. The first pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be available to stream on ESPN+.
MATCH UP BREAKDOWN

• This will be the third time that both teams are set to compete against one another, and the first time since 1986.
• The overall series is tied 1-1. The Flames won back Apr. 30, 1983, 5-1. The Bears won in their next meeting three years later in the UNI-Dome Tournament, 3-0.
• While the Flames are searching for their first MVC win, the Bears have won 11 of their past 12 games against MVC opponents.
• Missouri State Sophomore McKenzie Vaughan is batting .300 in the season and tied for fourth in homeruns (7) in the MVC.
• Senior Gracie Johnston has seen the most time in the circle for the Bears this season. She has pitched 80.2 innings with 49 strikeouts in her 20 appearances.

TONIOLO-ING THE RUBBER

• Senior Christina Toniolo pitched a complete game Wednesday, holding Loyola to five hits for a 3-2 victory.
• Over the recent homestand, she pitched 24.1 innings, struck out 14 batters and walked five batters.
• She leads the Flames in appearances (27), innings pitched (107.2) and strikeouts (56) in the circle this season.

ANNA'S AWESOMENESS

• Junior Anna Walker extended her hitting streak to three games during Wednesday's game against Loyola, going 1-for-3 with a single.
• Walker is currently second on the team in hits (22) and first in runs scored (9) for the Flames this season.
• In her first season at UIC, Walker started and played in all 36 games this season.

LARISSA POWER

• Sophomore Larissa Ortiz has found much success at the plate as of late for the Flames, batting .500 over the past two games.
• In the series finale against Belmont, Ortiz crushed a ball to left field that was feet away from clearing the fence when she came in to pinch hit.
• Behind the dish this past Wednesday, Ortiz caught Toniolo's complete game against Loyola. She went 1-for-3 in the game with an RBI double.

NEED TO KNOW

• Friday and Sunday's game will be streamed on ESPN+. Saturday's game will be streaming on ESPN3.
• Follow @UIC_Softball's Twitter page to remain up to date on the series throughout the entire weekend.

 VS. CANCER

• 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.