UIC Set to Begin NCAA Tournament Run at Lousiville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- After a day of practice amidst clear skies in the Bluegrass state, the UIC softball team opens play in the program's ninth all-time NCAA Regional on Friday evening.

The Horizon League Tournament Champion Flames (25-22) face the host Cardinals (36-18) at 7:30 p.m. EST, following the conclusion of the No. 7 California (39-10) - Jacksonville State (39-19) contest, slated to begin at 5:00 p.m.

All games will be available on Gametracker and a live video feed is being provided by Louisville Athletics.

The winners of Friday's contest will meet in the first game on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., followed by an elimination game at 4:30 p.m.

The NCAA Regionals feature a double-elimination format, with the winner advancing on to the best-of-three Super Regional series to face the winner of the Ann Arbor Regional.

The Flames' presence in Louisville, by virtue of claiming the League tournament over Butler last weekend, marks the first Regional appearance for the program since the 2004 season.

Senior Carly DeMarco paces the Flames with a .358 average entering the weekend, followed by first baseman Coryn Schmit with a .317 average, paired with 10 home runs and a team-best 32 RBI.

Hurler Devin Miller has tallied 222 strikeouts with a 2.44 ERA, fanning 40 in 34.0 innings pitched over five games at the league tournament.