Flames take No. 2 seed in league tournament

Ryan Boss pushed the Flames ahead of Wright State Saturday. Photo: Steve Woltmann

UIC will face Valparaiso Thursday in Horizon League Tournament action.

The Flames finished the regular season tied for second with Valparaiso — No. 2 seed in the postseason tournament after taking the tie-breaker over the Crusaders.

“I give our guys a great deal of credit,” head coach Mike Dee said.

“To improve as much as we have since the start of the season and earn the No. 2 seed is very impressive. I am truly proud of them.”

Senior Ryan Boss came through in the clutch for the baseball team (26-26, 13-11 HL) in a 1-0 win against Wright State Saturday afternoon to claim the series and regular season finale.

With runners on first and second in the ninth inning, Boss hit a single up the middle to score Andres Ortegano and record the lone run of the day.

Sophomore Alex Posey collected his first win of the season as he came in to pitch the final three innings, allowing two hits.

The Flames offense struggled with only three hits as Boss, Ortegano and Zenon Kolakowkski notched one hit apiece.  Senior Tim Suminski tossed three innings of middle relief, fanning three batters and yielded just one hit.

The 2013 Horizon League Tournament is the 12th time in the past 14 seasons that UIC has garnered the No. 2 seed or higher.

Last year, the Flames fought their way to the championship game but eventually lost to Valparaiso, 14-5.

On May 14, the Flames honored the senior members of the team: Joey Begel, Joe Betcher, Ryan Boss, Alex De LaRosa, Alex Grunenwald, Harry Kammholz, Ryan Shober and Tim Suminski.

“I’m really proud of these eight guys and how much they have grown as people,” Dee said.  “I’m excited for their future and I know they will all be successful.”