MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois softball earned the 8-5 back and forth victory over Illinois-Chicago on Wednesday (March 21) stretching the team's win streak to eight straight and bringing its overall record to 14-13 on the year. UIC falls to 12-13 with the loss.

The Flames gained a 3-0 early advantage in the top of the first on three walks and one hit, but the Leathernecks started their comeback in the second frame.

Sammy Marshall led off with a walk, stole her 34th bag of the season, moved up to third on a KC Dunne sacrifice bunt and came around to score on a UIC error. A double to left off the bat of Ashley Campbell brought home Goss, who reached on a walk and moved up to second on an error.

The UIC offense revved back up in the top of the second plating two runs on two hits before starting pitcher Kelsey Michelini could record the final out of the inning with her first strikeout of the game, giving the Flames a 5-2 lead.

Western Illinois bats stayed quiet in the second, but were revived in the bottom of the third inning. A Goss one-out single up the middle followed by the 14th hit by pitch of the season for Lia Romeo put Leathernecks at first and second for Megan Kelly who ripped a ball off the left centerfield wall plating Goss. UIC elected to intentionally walk Campbell to juice the bases for Michelini who came through in the clutch singling through the left side scoring two more to tie the game 5-5 before the defense could end the rally.

In the fourth inning, UIC and Western traded zeros keeping the game knotted until the bottom of the fifth inning when Campbell sent a go ahead, solo homerun over the fence in straight away centerfield. The blast was her fifth of the season, a current team best.

Michelini and company held the UIC offense at bay in the sixth and seventh innings, and picked up two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on two hits and two Flame errors to solidify an 8-5 victory. Marshall started the inning off with a single and Dunne laid down a perfectly placed push bunt past the second baseman. An errant throw on the play sent the ball into deep left field, giving both speedsters enough time to wheel around to score.

Picking up her eighth win of the year for the Leathernecks in the circle was Michelini, who went the distance throwing a full seven innings. It marks her fifth complete game of the season.

Campbell led the offensive charge for Western Illinois going two-for-three with a double and a solo homerun tallying two RBI. She is now riding a five-game hitting streak. Goss was a perfect two-for-two at the plate, and Marshall went two-for-three. Kelly, Michelini and Dunne each recorded a hit in the contest.

Western Illinois is back on the dirt at home on Friday and Saturday (March 23-24) for the Summit League conference series against Southern Utah. Friday's double header is set to begin at 3 p.m. and Saturday's single game has a noon start time. The Thunderbirds enter the series with a league record of 5-1.