CHICAGO – The UIC baseball team opened a crucial Missouri Valley Conference series at Granderson Stadium Friday, as it welcomed Bradley for the start of a three-game set. Both teams entered with 4-11 Missouri Valley records and looked to climb into more secure playoff standing with a victory.

• The Braves took the early lead in the third inning, as a Cal McGinnis single to right field scored Easton Harris to put Bradley ahead 1-0.
• UIC would answer back in the home half of the fourth inning, as a Rayth Petersen single to left field scored Carson Roberts and Breck Nowik, who would be the eventual winning run.
• Brandon Bak was outstanding for the Flames in his ninth start of the season, going eight innings and allowing only four hits and one run while not allowing a walk and striking out five.
• Reece Lawler came in for the Flames in the ninth, limiting the Braves to just one hit, and stranded the game's tying run at third base, earning his first save of the season and giving UIC the crucial 2-1 victory.

Due to forecasted rainy weather in Chicago, game two of the series between the Braves and Flames has been moved back to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday evening. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN3, and live stats will be available at UICFlames.com.