Normal, Ill. – With the games being adjusted for the weekend due to expected weather, the UIC softball team faced the Illinois State University Redbirds in a doubleheader on Friday to open the three-game series. Game one saw a powerful Redbirds (9-23, 3-5 MVC) team put up multiple runs in the first two innings as they went on to defeat the Flames (4-28, 0-7 MVC) 11-3. In game two, the Flames (4-29, 0-8 MVC) took the lead in the third inning, but a grand slam in favor of the Redbirds (10-23, 4-5 MVC) in the bottom of the sixth switched momentum as the home team came back to hand the Flames a 5-2 loss.
In game one, redshirt senior Alyssa McIntosh recorded her 100th career strikeout.
GAME ONE RECAP
The Redbirds opened the game with a four-run first inning to take the early lead. In the top of the second, the Flames cut the Redbirds' lead in half with a two-RBI single by Dee Dee Caskey. Unfortunately for the Flames, the bats kept swinging for the Redbirds as they added on seven more runs in the bottom of the second inning, taking an 11-2 lead over the Flames. In the top of the third, Larissa Ortiz scored on a Jojo Santiago fielder's choice, giving the Flames their third and final run of the game. In the bottom of the inning, Alyssa McIntosh struck out two batters, recording her 100th career strikeout. Neither team would bring any more runs across the plate as the Redbirds defeated the Flames 11-3.
The box score and play-by-play can be found here.
GAME TWO RECAP
After a scoreless game through two innings, the Flames opened action in the top of the third. A Hailey Cowing RBI single to right field was followed by an Ortiz RBI double to give the Flames a 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the Redbirds added one run to cut into the Flames lead. Following two scoreless innings, the Redbirds jumped ahead of the Flames in the bottom of the sixth off a grand slam. The Flames could not get any action going in the seventh, falling to the Redbirds 5-2.
The box score and play-by-play can be found here.
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS – GAME ONE
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS – GAME TWO
UP NEXT
The Flames and Redbirds will close out the series tomorrow, Saturday, March 28th in Marian Kneer Softball Stadium. Due to the expected weather, the game time has been switched to 11:00 AM. Live stream will be available on ESPN+, while live stats will be available on UICFlames.com.
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).
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