CHICAGO (Feb. 3, 2026) – The Missouri Valley Conference announced Tuesday that the UIC baseball's series opener against Illinois State on Friday, May 8, has been selected for a linear television broadcast on ESPNU. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. (CT) and will air nationwide from Curtis Granderson Stadium in Chicago.
 
This will mark the Flames' first ESPN linear network since UIC baseball joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 2022. It will also be UIC Athletics' second game this season to air on ESPNU across its 18 varsity programs. The UIC men's basketball contest on Friday is slated to air on the network starting at 8 p.m. (CT).
 
The Flames open the 2026 season Valentine Day's weekend, when they face-off against Incarnate Word on the road in a weekend series at Sullivan Field in San Antonio, Texas beginning Friday, Feb. 13. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. (CT).

UIC was recently voted third in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason favorites standings while five Flames were named to the MVC Players to Watch List.
  
For more information on UIC Athletics and UIC baseball, visit UICFlames.com. Fans can also follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_Baseball and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_baseball and @uicflames).
 
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