CHICAGO – The UIC softball team returns home to Flames Field Friday, when they host Evansville for a three-game series.

MATCH UP BREAKDOWN

• The Flames and the Aces have competed against each other nine times over the years. UIC leads the overall series, 5-4.
• The programs last were on the diamond back on Mar. 9, 2018, at Murray State's Racer Classic. The Flames won the game in eight innings, 1-0.
• UIC has won three of the last four meetings dating back to 1992.
• The Aces have seven wins in the MVC and currently sit eighth in the standings. They have wins over Indiana State, Southern Illinois, Belmont, Murray State and Bradley.
• Junior Megan Brenton has the top ERA in the circle in the MVC at 1.23. In 53 innings pitched, Brenton has struck out 56 batters.
• Senior Hannah Hood leads the Aces in batting average (.274), second in stolen bases (14) and tied for third in hits (32) this season.

WALK(ER) THE LINE

• Junior Anna Walker continues to have strong offensive production, after having a multi-hit game against Valparaiso on Wednesday.
• She now has had four hits and four RBIs over the past four games.
• Walker has now surpassed redshirt senior Maica Ingles as the sole leader in hits this season with 24. She also leads the team in RBIs (10).

FIRE ME UP FLEMING!

• A base hit late in the game against Valparaiso Wednesday night led to sophomore Grace Fleming to extend her hitting streak to four games.
• She now holds the second longest hitting streak this season behind Ingles' five-game hitting streak earlier in MVC play.
• With 13 hits in the season, nine of Fleming's hits came in April alone.

MIRANDA IN THE CIRCLE

• Junior Miranda Gomez continues to be a reliable arm in the circle for the Flames, making her 23^rd appearance Wednesday against Valparaiso.
• She leads the Flames in the least number of walks (26) and hits (78) this season.
• Striking out two Beacons on Wednesday, Gomez now has 13 strikeouts in the month of April and 29 K's on the season.

NEED TO KNOW

• Saturday's 2 p.m. game is Youth Sports Day! Younger fans will receive a free souvenir bat, sponsored by Xfinity. Members of the softball team will hang out postgame as well to sign autographs.
• Each of the games over the weekend will be available to stream on ESPN+ or listened to on the Flames Network.
• The series is set to conclude Sunday with a noon start time.