CHICAGO – Head coach Megan Coronado has announced the first four members to join the UIC softball team for the 2026 season: transfers Diamond Blomlie, Giovanna (GiGi) Lynch, Grace Taylor, and Sam Tourtillott. All four will be joining the Flames beginning in the fall semester.  

"This transfer group brings the depth, experience, and versatility we need to compete at a high level right away," said head coach Megan Coronado. "Diamond Blomlie is a dynamic lefty with game-changing speed in the outfield. Grace Taylor is a true middle infielder who brings both power and speed to our lineup. Giovanna Lynch adds a strong presence in the circle with three years of eligibility and a hunger to grow. Samantha Tourtillott rounds out the class as a veteran utility player with experience at both Rock Valley and Drake. She'll give us flexibility and leadership across the field. I'm excited about what this group will bring to the program."
 
Diamond Blomlie (Kankakee, Ill. / Kankakee / Rock Valley) 
An incoming junior outfielder, Blomlie comes to the Flames after completing her sophomore campaign at Rock Valley in Rockford, Ill. During her season with the Golden Eagles, Blomlie started in 34 out of 44 games played, recording 35 hits in 94 at-bats with a batting average of .372. She finished the year with 33 runs, four doubles, two triples, two home runs, 13 RBIs, and a .521 SLG%. 
 
Giovanna (GiGi) Lynch (Buffalo, N.Y. / Castle / West Georgia) 
Lynch, a sophomore pitcher, joins the Flames following one season at West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga. The pitcher made five appearances and two starts for the Wolves. Across five innings, Lynch struck out one batter. 
 
Grace Taylor (Downers Grove, Ill. / Downers Grove South / Appalachian State)
Competing in one season at Appalachian State in Boone, N.C., Taylor comes to the Flames as a sophomore utility player. Taylor started in nine out of 22 appearances for the Mountaineers, recording three hits out of 24 at-bats for five runs, two doubles, and two RBIs.
 
Sam Tourtillott (Dixon, Ill. / Dixon / Drake)
Following two years at Rock Valley and one year at Drake, Tourtillott joins the Flames as an incoming senior infielder. In her latest campaign with the Bulldogs, Tourtillott started in 21 of 42 appearances, recording 14 hits in 77 at-bats with 13 runs, three doubles, two home runs, and 11 RBIs.  
 
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