ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The University of Illinois Springfield men's tennis team fought hard, but could not get its last win as the Stars dropped a 5-4 decision to Missouri Baptist on Friday evening.

Senior Hayden Esker (Effingham, Ill.) and sophomore Cole Buehnerkemper (Effingham, Ill.) grabbed an 8-6 victory in the No. 1 doubles position.

In singles play, junior Santiago Pedraza (Spain) was the first to walk away with the win. He battled to a 6-4, 1-6, 10-8 win in the No. 4 position. Freshman Gerard Carpinell (Spain) then picked up his first collegiate victory in the No. 2 position, 6-4, 6-4, to tie the match at 3-all.

Missouri Baptist grabbed the next win to take the 4-3 advantage before the No. 5 spot for Missouri Baptist secured the victory. No. 6 singles Grant Fitzsimmons (Springfield, Ill.) for UIS walked away with a 6-2, 6-3 victory to make it 5-4.

The Prairie Stars return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Elgin Community College.