CHICAGO – The UIC baseball team closed its eight-game home stand on Wednesday night, as Purdue was in town for a mid-week contest, the Flames' final mid-week home game of the 2023 season. The Flames were also in search of a season-series sweep of the Boilermakers after a 6-4 victory in West Lafayette, Ind. on March 21. UIC came into the game with a 4-1 record overall against Big Ten opponents this year.
- The Flames brought home the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, as AJ Henkle drove in his 22nd run of the season with an RBI groundout to short with one out. Jackson Bessette doubled the UIC lead in the home half of the second inning, driving in a run with an infield single to bring the lead to 2-0.
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- Carson Roberts extended the Flames lead to 3-0 with another RBI groundout before Henkle drove in two runs with the bases loaded and gave UIC a firm 5-0 advantage.
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- The Boilermakers clawed their way back into the game in the middle innings, plating a pair of runs in the fourth to chase starter Kendall Lyons, and adding one in the visiting half of the sixth to cut the deficit to 5-3.
- James Harris delivered an RBI ground rule double to left center in the bottom of the sixth before being brought home on a Roberts RBI single to bring the lead to 7-3.
- The Flames bullpen was very effective on the night, spanning five and two-thirds innings, and surrendering only one run. Reece Lawler entered the game in the ninth inning and earned his fourth save of the season.
The Flames will return to Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend, as they travel to Illinois State for a three-game series beginning Friday evening. First pitch from Duffy Bass Field is set for 5 p.m. CT.
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