Dec. 15, 2008

Chicago, Ill.- The UIC baseball team was named the top NCAA Division I baseball program in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com on Monday, Dec. 15.

Rivals.com college baseball editor Kendall Rogers ranked the 10 D-I programs in the state and cited the Flames' consistent contention for postseason play as the deciding factor in leading the pack in Illinois.

Rogers also noted that the "wealth of talent" returning to UIC this spring, which includes seven starting field players and two starting pitchers from last year's 2008 NCAA College Station Regional squad, should put the Flames in prime position to compete for a third consecutive NCAA berth.

UIC has been to four NCAA Regionals since 2003, including back-to-back appearances in the last two seasons. The Flames are the seven-time defending Horizon League regular season champions, the two-time defending Horizon League tournament champions and have won 30-plus games for nine consecutive campaigns heading into 2009.

For the complete rankings of Illinois and Indiana Division I college baseball programs by Rivals.com, click here.

Fans can follow the national college baseball scene on Rivals.com.