Chicago, Ill. – Back on Flames Field for the series finale, the UIC softball team and the Belmont University Bruins got the action going early with a combined three-run first inning to start out the noon contest on Sunday, April 13th. The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) contest turned into a defensive showdown between the two sides before the Flames found some rhythm starting in the fifth and jumped ahead in the sixth. Taking the late lead, the Flames (7-35, 3-14 MVC) held on, defeating the Bruins (30-11, 14-4 MVC)
RECAP
Wasting no time, both teams came out with a quick start, with the Bruins leading 2-1 at the end of the first inning. Cameran Rios recorded the Flames' run. After the first inning, the game turned into a defensive battle, with both teams starting pitchers taking control of the game. Jasmine Whorley picked up two strikeouts between the second and the fifth, while the Flames defense made multiple plays to keep the Bruins to just two hits. At the bottom of the fifth, the Flames picked up two hits, with Siena Stickney and Jojo Santiago both singling to the right field. In the sixth, the Flames once again kept the Bruins hit-less, including a double play between Rios and Sequoia Sanchez. In the bottom half of the inning, the Flames came out swinging and took the lead. After picking up one out, Hailey Cowing came up to bat and singled to center field before Larissa Ortiz doubled to left field, putting runners in scoring position. Stepping up to bat with two outs, Stickney sent a two-RBI single to right field, putting the Flames ahead 3-2, giving them their first lead of the weekend over the Bruins. Although the Bruins threatened with late runs in the seventh inning, the Flame held on, defeating the Bruins 3-2.
The box score and play-by-play can be found here.
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UP NEXT
The Flames will be on the road for the next week but will remain in Chicago for a non-conference contest on Tuesday, April 13th as they head just over five miles north of campus to take on the DePaul University Blue Demons. The cross-town rivals will play beginning at 4:00 PM in Cacciatore Stadium. The live stream will be available on the Marquee Sports Network ($), and live stats will be available on UICFlames.com.
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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).
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