In 2017, the UIC Flames baseball team won the Horizon League championship for the second time in three years, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Flames, led by head coach Mike Dee, entered the tournament as a #4 seed in the Lubbock Regional.

In the first round of the tournament, the Flames faced off against the #1 seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders. Despite being heavy underdogs, the Flames pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the Red Raiders 7-6 in 10 innings. UIC pitcher Ryan Campbell pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out six batters and allowing only three earned runs. The Flames offense was led by designated hitter Cody Bohanek, who hit a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning to give UIC the lead.

In the second round, the Flames faced the #3 seeded University of Arizona Wildcats. Despite a valiant effort, UIC ultimately fell to Arizona 6-3. The Flames finished the season with a 39-17 record, setting a school record for wins in a season.

The 2017 Horizon League championship was the ninth in UIC’s history, and the third under head coach Mike Dee. The team’s success helped to raise the profile of UIC athletics and brought national attention to the Flames baseball program.