UIC scored eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie and went on to earn an 18-7 victory over the Youngstown State baseball team in the series finale on Sunday at Curtis Granderson Stadium.

The Flames led 5-0 after four innings before the Penguins tied the game with five runs on three home runs in the top of the fifth. UIC broke the game open with an eight-run sixth inning, and that proved to be enough to claim the 3-1 series victory.

Youngstown State dropped its third straight game to fall to 23-20 overall and 18-14 in Horizon League play while UIC improved to 21-16 overall and 20-11 against the league. The Flames are now in sole possession of second place in the Horizon League standings.

Dominick Bucko went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run, a double and four RBIs. Jeff Wehler was 3-for-5 with a double while Phillip Glasser, Blaze Glenn and Padraig O'Shaughnessy also hit home runs for the Penguins. Glasser, O'Shaughnessy and Lucas Nasonti each had a pair of hits, and Glasser scored three runs. YSU tied its season high with four homers but was outhit by UIC 20-14.

YSU starter Nick Perez allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings of work in a no-decision. Joel Hake was saddled with the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits over three innings of relief. The Penguins used a total of eight pitchers in the contest.

The Flames took an early 3-0 lead with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the first inning. Bryan Rosario hit a one-out single, Matt Bottcher drew a one-out walk and Cole Conn hit a two-out, three-run home run to right center field.

UIC pushed its lead to 4-0 with one run on three hits in the home half of the third inning. Rosario led off the inning with a bunt single, Bottcher doubled to left center and Joshua Figueroa followed with an RBI single to center field. The Flames went ahead 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth when Cory Moore hit a solo home run to left center field.

The Penguins hit three home runs and scored five runs in the top of fifth inning to even the score at 5-5. Nasonti got the rally started with a bunt single and Wehler followed with a single to center field. After Glasser reached on a fielder's choice, Bucko hit a three-run home run to right center field. Glenn followed with a solo blast to right center and Padraig O'Shaughnessy added a two-out solo shot to right field to tie the contest.

The Flames regained a 13-5 lead with eight runs on seven hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Conn and Thomas Norton hit back-to-back sole home runs to begin the inning, and Rosario delivered a two-out, two-run single. UIC hit its third homer of the inning later in the frame when Figueroa sent a three-run shot to left center field. After Conn singled and stole second, Norton hit an RBI single to left field to plate UIC's 13th run.

YSU scored its sixth run of the game in the top of the seventh when Glasser led off the inning with his fourth home run of the season.

UIC extended its advantage to 18-6 with five runs on three hits in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ryan Nagelbach hit a one-out grand slam to right center field and Figueroa delivered a two-out RBI single through the left side.

The Penguins plated their seventh and final run in the top of the ninth inning when Glasser hit a two-out double and scored on an RBI double by Bucko.

Norton went 4-for-6 with a double, a home run and two RBIs to pace the Flames offensively while Rosario, Bottcher, Figueroa and Conn tallied three hits apiece. Conn hit a pair of home runs and had four RBIs while Figueroa drove in five runs.

UIC starter Bobby Nicholson allowed five runs on 10 hits over 4.2 innings in a no-decision. Tanner Shears was awarded the victory after allowing one run on one hit over 3.1 innings of relief. Joey Morris was responsible for one run on three hits in the ninth inning.

Youngstown State will return home to host Purdue Fort Wayne for a four-game Horizon League series at Eastwood Field beginning on Friday at 5 p.m. Live audio will be available at YSNLive.com.