CHICAGO – Jess Willsey recorded three hits to lead the University of Evansville softball team in a 7-4 setback to UIC on Saturday at Flames Field.
 
Willsey went 3-4 with two RBI as the Purple Aces dropped the series finale to the Flames. Niki Bode went 2-3 with a run and walk. Kate Ridgway allowed five runs in 2 2/3 inning as she suffered the loss. Alexis Tucker threw the final 3 1/3 innings and allowed two runs in four hits.
 
Evansville jumped in front with two runs in the top of the 3^rd. After Niki Bode reached on a single, Maliyah Wilkins and Morgan Adams walked to load the bases. Jess Willsey and Ashtyn Holbrook followed with RBI singles to give UE a 2-0 lead. The Flames responded with five runs in the bottom of the frame. Ari O'Connell and Siena Stickney each had 2-run hits to give UIC its first lead of the game.
 
UE got right back to work in the 4^th when Brooke Voss and Taylor Howe singled while Bode walked to load the bases. Wilkins walk forced in the third run of the game while Willsey added her third hit of the day to cut the deficit to one. The score remained 5-4 until the bottom of the 6^th when UIC added two insurance runs to take a 7-4 lead into the 7^th.
 
Emma McDonald singled in the final inning but UIC was able to complete the victory to win the series. UE travels to Indiana on Wednesday before completing the regular season at home against Valparaiso next weekend.