Cal State Fullerton (5-1) pulled off a tremendous comeback topping Illinois-Chicago (2-4) by a score of 12-8 to open up the Hillenbrand Invitational.

Alexa Neil recorded her third straight multi-hit game going 2-4 with a run scored and the game-winning RBI. Zoe Richard also had two hits including the game-tying home run in the final frame.

Irie Siofele launched her third home run of the season going 1-3 with three RBI. Ari Williams launched her first home run of the season going 1-2 with two RBI and three walks. Sam Kennedy also hit her first home run of the season with a 1-2 performance and three RBI.

Janelle Rodriguez was the only other Titan with a hit going 1-3 at the plate while Deshea Hill went 0-4 with an RBI.

In the circle, the Titans struggled early on. Dani Martinez got the start giving up six runs in 2.1 innings. Taylor Dockins came in next giving up a run while recording just one hit followed by Mia Marinakis who threw 1.2 innings giving up a run on three hits. Sophie Frost would enter the game as Fullerton brought it back and closed out the victory throwing three innings only giving up one baserunner to pick up the win.

The first four innings belonged to the Flames as UIC put up two in the second, five in the third, and one in the fourth tallying four home runs in the process. While that was happening, the Fullerton offense managed only one hit until the fifth inning.

However, once that fifth inning started, it was a new ballgame. A three-run blast from Siofele would get the Titans on the board and Williams would make it back-to-back jacks launching a solo shot right after. Four batters later, Kennedy launched another three-run home run and made it a one-run game.