The UIC baseball team is set to compete in an elimination game at the NCAA Atlanta Regional on Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT), facing the loser of the earlier contest between Oklahoma and The Citadel. This marks UIC's first regional appearance since 2019 and their seventh in program history, with a postseason record of 2-13. Senior Will Flanigan made history with two home runs in the Flames' opener against Georgia Tech, while Jake Busson hit his 19th homer this season, leading the Missouri Valley Conference.

By the Numbers
  • UIC is 27-28-1 this season.
  • Flanigan is the first UIC player to hit two homers in an NCAA Tournament game.
  • Busson leads the Missouri Valley Conference with 19 home runs this season.
Yes, But

Despite recent achievements, UIC has struggled historically in NCAA tournaments, owning a 2-13 record, raising questions about their competitiveness on this national stage.

State of Play
  • UIC's last regional appearance in 2019 ended in two losses.
  • Flanigan's and Busson's performances highlight individual achievements but also raise expectations for team success moving forward.
What's Next

Depending on the outcome against either The Citadel or Oklahoma, UIC will look to capitalize on its momentum and may have a chance to secure its first postseason win since 2008.

Bottom Line

As UIC battles to advance, the team's ability to overcome past postseason disappointments will be crucial in determining their future success in the tournament.