MOBILE, Ala. (Feb. 7, 2025) – The UIC softball team split a season opening double-header Friday, falling to UAB before coming back and earning a run-rule victory over South Alabama in the night cap.

In UIC's game against UAB, freshman Nina Pesare (Lisle, Ill./Benet Academy) collected a pair of singles, going two-for-two. Senior Hailey Cowing (Torrance, Calif./West Torrance) and sophomore Cameran Rios (Effingham, Ill./St. Anthony) each collected a single a piece. 

Final here at Jaguar Field.

We are back on the diamond tonight (and on ESPN+) against South Alabama at 7 p.m. (CT)! #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/7nmHGz44jc

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 7, 2025

The box score and play-by-play recap in our game against UAB can be found here. 

The Flames came out swinging in game two of the double header, tallying double digit runs in a 14-2 rout of South Alabama in five innings. Jasmine Whorley (Alameda, Calif./Alameda) earned the victory on the mound, pitching a complete game allowing just two earned runs.

The win also marked the first victory in the head coaching career of interim head coach Jamie Buksa.

FLAMES WIN!

UIC gets its first win of the year in five innings over South Alabama!#ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/5sAit5Fddq

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 8, 2025

The box score and play-by-play recap in our game against South Alabama can be found here.

 
COMMENT FROM INTERIM HEAD COACH JAMIE BUKSA

"I'm so proud of this team's response. We flushed game one and came out confident, gritty and locked in!"

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS – UAB

M2 @NinaPesare bunts over JoJo Santiago and moves into scoring position before being left stranded. Flames return back out in the field on defense.

UIC: 0
UAB: 1

??: https://t.co/gbovJkeKFk #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/EX07mrpY6b

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 7, 2025

B4

Runner tries to steal second, and Jojo Santiago says NOPE! Throws her out for the second out of the inning!

UIC: 0
UAB: 6

??: https://t.co/gbovJkfiuS #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/ILNTmYBuUL

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 7, 2025

T5

After @NinaPesare gets her second hit of the game, Cameran Rios walks before @CowingHailey's first hit of the season led to bases loaded before all three runners were stranded!

UIC: 0
UAB: 6

??: https://t.co/gbovJkfiuS #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/Za1tw8Ioit

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 7, 2025

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS – SOUTHERN ALABAMA 

Top 1st

Base hit! Bringing 'em home one swing at a time.

??: 5
??: 0

??: https://t.co/bxXuDKMLTq
??: https://t.co/YywQAwuepD#ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/C5uiNTXxzs

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 8, 2025

Top 2nd

That's a double— ??!

??: 5
??: 0

??: https://t.co/bxXuDKMLTq
??: https://t.co/YywQAwuepD#ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/ioeZqSik6Q

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 8, 2025

Bottom 3rd

That's how it's done!??

??: 7
??: 2

??: https://t.co/bxXuDKMLTq
??: https://t.co/YywQAwuepD#ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/Th5LCLwP0r

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 8, 2025

Bottom 5th

That's a wrap! Game-ending catch!

??: 14
??: 2

??: https://t.co/bxXuDKMLTq
??: https://t.co/YywQAwuepD#ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/0zUFRoYVfs

— UIC Softball ???? (@UIC_Softball) February 8, 2025

UP NEXT 

The Flames return to Jaguar Field Saturday, facing off against UAB (2-1) at 2 p.m. (CT) and South Alabama (2-1) at 7 p.m. (CT) once again. Live stats will be available at UICFlames.com for both games, with UIC's second match-up against South Alabama to be streamed on ESPN+. 

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

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).