BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The University of Illinois Springfield softball team picked up a 3-1 victory in game two against Northwest Missouri to close out the 8-State Classic. The Stars dropped their opening game, 6-3, to Central Missouri.

Pitcher Taylor Bowlby gave up just one run against the Bearcats, not earned, as the UIS bats powered a victory. A walk and stolen base from senior Lauren Hollinshead (Sherman, Ill.) put her in prime scoring position for Brittany Miller (Washington, Ill.). Miller roped a single to right center to score the first run of the game. Miller moved over when the next batter was hit by pitch, but Northwest's Kendle Schieber forced a pop up to end the threat.

The Bearcats plated a run in the bottom of the fourth when Abigail Gilson hit a single to right field to bring home the run. It was the lone score of the day as the UIS defense and Bowlby allowed just one runner past second base for the remainder of the game.

In the fifth, Miller was hit-by-pitch, her fourth of the day, to reach before moving on a sacrifice bunt. Junior Ashli King (Sterling, Ill.) then stepped up to hit a single to score Amanda Gosbeth who pinch ran for Miller. A double play on the next batter ended the inning.

UIS responded again in the final inning as Brianna Edgar (Chatham, Ill.) sent a double to center field before Hollinshead's single sent Edgar home for the 3-1 lead.

Bowlby finished the game with seven strikeouts, two walks, six hits and one run.

In the first game, Central Missouri plated three runs in the second and sixth innings to take control of the game. Jennies' pitcher Katie Shockley struck out 12 batters, while giving up three runs and five hits and two walks.

Miller hit a one-run homer in the second inning to open the scoring. In the fifth inning, Molly Manietta (Coal City, Ill.) smacked a double to left field to score Miller and Tess Hupe (Saint Charles, Ill.). The runs tied the game up, but Central Missouri responded in the fifth and secured the win.

Smith was tagged with her first loss of the season on nine hits, three earned runs and four walks, while striking out five.

Miller finished the day 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, while reaching base on four hit-by-pitch and also had one stolen base. King was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

The Prairie Stars now head north to play in the Lewis Dome Invitational next weekend. Games begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20.