AP Sports Preview: UIC Flames vs. Citadel Bulldogs – NCAA Playoff

ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Illinois-Chicago Flames (27-28-1) meet the Citadel Bulldogs (35-24-1) in a single-elimination NCAA playoff game Saturday afternoon at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

UIC enters the postseason after a turbulent regular season that included a 22-5 loss to Georgia Tech on Friday in its final non-conference tune-up. The Flames managed only three wins in their last 10 games, but the offense has shown flashes of power, particularly from first baseman Will Flanigan.

Flanigan has been UIC’s most consistent hitter. In Friday’s defeat, he went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs. Over his last 10 games, he has recorded multiple hits five times, including a 2-for-3 day with a homer and an RBI in a 7-2 win over Southern Illinois on May 24, and a 2-for-2 performance with a home run and an RBI in an 11-1 victory over the same team on May 21. Flanigan also drove in two runs in a 10-2 win against Illinois State on May 8. The Flames will need his bat to keep pace with a powerful Citadel lineup.

Citadel enters the playoff on a hot streak, having won five of its last six. The Bulldogs capped the regular season with a 3-1 victory at Samford on May 23, powered by a dominant pitching performance from right-hander Will Holmes. Holmes threw seven innings, allowing one run on one hit while striking out 10. Relievers Michael Gibson (1⅓ innings, no hits, two strikeouts) and Andrew Buffkin (⅔ inning, no hits) closed the door.

The Bulldogs’ offense has been explosive, scoring double-digit runs in four of their last seven games, including a 21-11 win over Virginia Military Institute on May 20 and a 14-4 victory at Mercer on May 22. UIC’s pitching staff, which surrendered 22 runs Friday, will face a daunting challenge.

Both teams have a tie on their records — UIC’s came in a 6-6 contest (not listed, but record shows 1 tie) and Citadel’s in a 10-inning 4-4 game against Samford on May 9. Saturday’s playoff game is scheduled for an afternoon start. The winner advances in the postseason bracket.

Key Players to Watch: - UIC: 1B Will Flanigan (.333 average in last 10 games, 3 HR, 8 RBI) - Citadel: RHP Will Holmes (7 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 10 K in last start)