SUGARLAND, TEXAS (Feb. 22, 2024) – The UIC baseball team begins competition in the 2024 Sugarland College Classic Friday, as it opens a three-game weekend, beginning with its second consecutive Southland Conference foe in Lamar. UIC will face host institution Houston Christian in an afternoon matchup Saturday before closing out the event with a get-away day match-up against Creighton on Sunday morning. All games of the Sugarland College Classic will be played at Constellation Field, home of the Sugarland Space Cowboys, the AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros.
 
2024 Sugarland College Classic
Constellation Field | Sugarland, Texas
 
UIC Flames vs. Lamar Cardinals
Friday, Feb. 23 | 11:00 a.m. CT
Live Stats
 
UIC Flames vs. Houston Christian Huskies
Saturday, Feb. 24 | 2:00 p.m.
Live Stats
 
UIC Flames vs. Creighton Blue Jays
Sunday, Feb. 25 | 10:00 a.m.
Live Stats
 
 
ROAD TRIP RECAP

• The Flames opened the 2024 campaign on a high note, as they took two out of three from Kansas at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas. The series victory was the first for UIC vs. a Power-5 opponent since winning two out of three over California on the road in 2022.
• Offense was the story of the weekend for the Flames, as UIC averaged just over eight runs per game in the series, including a 13-run outburst on Saturday in a 13-6 victory.
• UIC traveled to nearby San Antonio for a mid-week contest on Wednesday, where it was defeated 22-7 by Incarnate Word. The Cardinals plated 10 runs in two separate innings to run away on the scoreboard.

 
PROMINENT PITCHING

• The Flames got several quality outings on opening weekend, including an opening night victory for Dillon Schueler (Rock Falls, Ill./Sauk Valley CC) in his first start at UIC. The sophomore transfer threw five innings, allowing just six hits and one earned run on route to a UIC win.
• Left-hander Brandon Bak (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) also helped set the tone in his start on Saturday, giving up just two earned runs in five innings pitched. Bak earned a no-decision, while striking out four on the night.

 
SCOUTING LAMAR

• The Cardinals enter play on the weekend with a 2-2 overall record, including wins over Southern Indiana and North Alabama.
• Jack Schell leads the way offensively for Lamar, batting .385 and starting all four games.

 
SCOUTING HOUSTON CHRISTIAN

• The Huskies come into the event sporting a 3-2 overall record this season, taking three out of four from Le Moyne before losing a midweek contest 20-3 at #14 Texas.
• HCU is led offensively by brothers Dylan and Tyler LaRue, who are the only two Huskies currently batting over .300.

 
SCOUTING CREIGHTON

• The Blue Jays have only played two games thus far in 2024, a pair of wins over Coppin State on the road in Baltimore, Md.
• Reigning Big East Player of the Week Tate Gillen paces the Blue Jays' offense, batting .714 with a home run and 5 RBI.

For more information on UIC Athletics and UIC baseball, visit UICFlames.com. Fans can also follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_Baseball and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_baseball and @uicflames).