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Emma Crowley

Softball Opens Home Slate This Weekend Against Southern Illinois

UIC starts the home portion of its MVC schedule against the Salukis.

3/21/2024 5:55:00 PM

CHICAGO (March 21, 2024) – After 28 games on the road, the UIC softball team (8-20, 1-2 MVC) steps on to Flames Field for the first time this season as it hosts Southern Illinois (20-4, 5-0 MVC) in a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series, beginning at 12:05 p.m. (CT) Friday and continuing with games on Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (noon).
 
The entire series will be streamed on ESPN+, while live stats will be available on UICFlames.com. The first 100 fans coming to each of this weekend's games will receive a free umbrella.
 
Southern Illinois at UIC
When: Friday-Sunday (March 22-24)
Where: Flames Field (839 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608)
Admission: Free
Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: UICFlames.com
 
SCHEDULE
Friday, March 22
vs. Southern Illinois | 12:05 p.m. (CT)
Saturday, March 23
vs. Southern Illinois | 2 p.m. (CT)
Sunday, March 24
vs. Southern Illinois | Noon (CT)
 
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
  • The Salukis hold a 9-5 overall series lead over the Flames. UIC is aiming for its first victory over Southern Illinois since an 11-3 win in five innings at the Saluki Invitational in February 2011.
  • In their last match-up, the Salukis edged the Flames, 2-0 in the opening round of the MVC Tournament last May in Carbondale. Graduate student Christina Toniolo (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake South) pitched six innings, striking out two batters and holding the Salukis to four hits.
  • SIU has the longest active winning streak in the Valley (13 games), having not lost since Feb. 25. The Salukis have already swept Drake in conference play and have taken two games against Missouri State. They will have an opportunity to sweep the Bears at home on April 24.
  • Freshman Maddia Groff has made an immediate impact in the circle for Southern Illinois. In 80.1 innings of work, Groff is 13-0 with a conference-leading 0.44 ERA and 89 strikeouts.
  • Senior Rylie Hamilton has shown her power with a team-high four home runs, while ranking second on the team with 16 RBI.
 
LAST TIME OUT: NORTHWESTERN
  • The Flames fell to Northwestern, 7-1 on Wednesday at Sharon J. Drysdale Field in Evanston, Ill.
  • Senior Emma Crowley (Peoria, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame) pushed UIC out to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning with her first home run of the season. It was also the fifth home run of her collegiate career and first since April 2021 at home against Cleveland State.
  • Graduate student Carlee Jo Clark (Carol Stream, Ill./St. Francis/Southern Illinois) started in the circle for the Flames, completing four innings of work, allowing four hits and striking out three.
  • Senior Larisa Villa (La Habra, Calif./La Habra) earned her sixth multi-hit game of the season, collecting two singles. She leads the team with a .282 batting average.
  • Sophomore Gianna Richy (Chicago, Ill./Marist) also had a pinch-hit double at Northwestern and has batted .500 (2-for-4) during the past week.
 
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For more information, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_Softball and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_softball and @uicflames).
 
#ChicagosCollegeTeam | #FireUpFlames
 
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