CHICAGO – Closing out the 2026 regular season, the UIC softball team wrapped up their Missouri Valley Conference series with the Southern Illinois Salukis. Off to a quick start, both teams recorded runs through the first three innings. A five-run third inning by the Salukis helped secure the visitors the lead for the remainder of the contest. In the end, UIC fell to SIU 11-6, ending their 2026 campaign. The Flames finish the year with a 21-32-1 overall record, 10-18 conference record while the Salukis finish the regular season with a 33-15 overall record, 21-6 conference record.
The Flames and Salukis were off to a quick start in the first inning. SIU recorded a three hit, two runs top half of the inning to take the lead, but UIC quickly responded with four hits, three runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Cameran Rios and
Siena Stickney led off for the Flames with back-to-back singles up the middle.
Sam Tourtillott followed with her team leading eighth home run of the season to deep left field, giving the Flames a 3-2 lead at the end of the first.
Both teams recorded a run in the second, with the Salukis scoring off an RBI single, while Rios scored off an error, keeping the Flames on top. At the end of two, the Flames led 4-3.
SIU found their stride in the third with a three hit, five run inning, including a bases clearing double to right center field to take the lead. UIC was able to score one in the bottom of the inning when
Ari O'Connell singled through the right side, bringing home
Samantha White from third base. At the end of the inning, the Flames trailed the Salukis 8-5.
After a scoreless fourth inning, the Flames added one run in the fifth to come within two of the Salukis.
Larissa Ortiz led off the inning with a double to right field. With one out,
Emily Brecht brought home Ortiz with an RBI single, making the score 8-6 in favor of the visitors.
With a four hit, three run inning in the sixth, the Salukis extended to a 11-6 lead over the Flames.
Seventh inning action saw an inning ending double play by
Nina Pesare and O'Connell to give the Flames one last chance on offense. The Flames would get runners on in the bottom of the inning, but they would get left stranded as UIC ultimately fell to SIU 11-6 to conclude the 2026 season.
The box score and play-by-play can be found
here
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