VAPARAISO, Ind. – The UIC baseball team opened a three-game series against Valparaiso Friday afternoon, as the Flames were in search of their second consecutive victory.
- Charlie Szykowny kicked off the scoring as the third batter of the game, as he launched his 11th home run of the season, a no-doubter to right center to give UIC a 1-0 lead.
- The Beacons answered with four runs in the home half of the first inning against starting pitcher Brandon Bak.
- Bak would be chased from the game with two outs in the second inning, as the Beacons added a fifth run to take a 5-1 lead. Zak Gould would get the final out in the second, closing the book for the day on Bak.
- The Flames responded in the next half-inning, as a Carson Roberts three-run home run brought UIC within one at 5-4.
- Roberts would tie the game in his next at bat, tallying his fourth RBI of the game with a single to center.
- Valparaiso re-took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh, as a Brady Renfro double down the right field line scored Kyle Schmack from first base to give the Beacons the 6-5 lead.
- The Beacons threatened again in the bottom of the seventh, but an incredible double play turned by Charlie Szykowny and Ryan Nagelbach stranded a runner at third base.
- After the Beacons tallied six in the bottom of the eighth, the Flames pushed a comeback effort in the top of the ninth, with a three-run home run from Rayth Petersen and a solo home run from Nagelbach. The comeback effort would fall just short, however, as the Beacons took the series opener by a 12-9 final score.
The two teams will continue the series on Saturday, as the first pitch in game two is set for 1:00 p.m. CT. Check @UIC_Baseball on Twitter for the most up-to-date information regarding weather and game times.
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