UIC Baseball secured the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship by defeating Southern Illinois 7-2. This victory marks UIC's ninth tournament title in program history and its first since 2019. The Flames made history by sweeping both the regular season and tournament titles for the first time since 2017. UIC will now head to the NCAA Tournament, with details about their opponent and location to be announced on Monday. Junior Thomas Curry was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player for his exceptional performance.

By the Numbers
  • UIC finished the season with a record of 27-27-1 and 16-8 in the MVC.
  • Thomas Curry batted .462 during the tournament, recording six hits and seven RBIs.
State of Play
  • UIC's victory was highlighted by a strong pitching performance by Kendall Lyons, who allowed just three hits across six innings.
  • Ashton Kampa's three-run home run in the eighth inning was pivotal for securing the win.
What's Next

The Flames will find out their NCAA Tournament opponent and regional location during the live Selection Show on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. (CT) on Monday. This marks UIC's seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament, with high hopes for performance given their recent success.

Bottom Line

UIC Baseball's dual title victory showcases the team's resilience and talent, setting a promising stage for their impending NCAA Tournament journey. Key performances, particularly from Curry and Lyons, highlight potential strengths moving forward.