WESTFIELD, IND --- In their first GLVC tournament appearance since 2014, the Prairie Stars (28-22) fell to the top-seed out of the western division, Missouri S&T (35-15) by a score of 11-4. Illinois Springfield committed a season-high six errors in the opening round loss, which proved to be the difference maker in the game. There was a total of two hours and eight minutes of rain delays in the game, as play stopped on two separate occasions at Grand Park.

The Prairie Stars rallied in the top of the first after Austin Muench lead off the tournament with a single to centerfield. A walk to Gabriel Acevedo put runners on first and second but a tough luck line drive double play ended the inning for the Prairie Stars.

The Miners took control of the game in the first inning, plating four runs, capitalizing on two Prairie Star errors. 

UIS came back with two in the top of the second as Kyle Hunsinger picked up the first RBI on a fielders' choice before Muench notched his second hit of the day, driving in Jake Redlinger, who walked earlier in the inning.

Missouri S&T once again capitalized on Prairie Star miscues, utilizing an error, walk, and hit-by-pitch, cultivating a three-run homerun, giving the Miners a 7-2 lead.  

The deficit would extend to 11-2 before UIS plated two runs in the top of the ninth to make the final score 11-4. Jose Marin (2-4) took the loss for UIS, throwing two innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) on two hits. Gavin Collins threw one inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced before the rain came. Max Biedrzycki, Kyle Strepek, and Dan Pacha closed out the final five innings.

With the loss, the Prairie Stars will take on the University of Indianapolis in an elimination game at 9:00 AM. These two teams split in their four-game series two weeks ago in Springfield. UIS is the fourth seed out of the east while UIndy holds the two-seed.