FRANKFORT, KY --- The Prairie Stars (4-5) traveled to Frankfort, Kentucky to take on the Kentucky State Thorobreds (1-7) in a two-game series and came away with a 10-5 win in the opener. Illinois Springfield tallied 11 hits on the day and used a six run eighth inning to pull away for the win.

The Prairie Stars fell behind early, giving up two runs in the second inning. The offense was stagnant for UIS in the early going but picked up late, as they scored all ten runs in the fifth inning and later.

In the fifth, John Sechen began the inning by reaching via an error and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kyle Hunsinger. Back-to-back walks to Trey Hannam and Brody McGrath loaded the bases and after a strikeout, Jason Galeano brought in all three runners with a bases clearing, two-out double, giving UIS a 3-2 lead.

Starting pitcher, Adam Gregory worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning to preserve the lead and then UIS tagged on another run in the sixth on an RBI single from Hunsinger.

Max Biedrzycki relieved Gregory in the sixth but surrendered two runs in his outing, the last coming via a sacrifice fly. With the game tied 4-4, UIS turned to Aaron Kuper in the bullpen who, shut down the Thorobreds for two innings.

In the eighth, the UIS bats came alive, scoring six runs on six hits to take a commanding lead in the game. Austin Muench walked with one out to start the rally and advanced on a single from Zach Patterson. Sechen brought in the first run with an RBI single on a bunt and then Hunsinger brought in another run with a single. Hannam had the big hit of the inning with a two-RBI double, and then the final run came across on a single from Galeano.

Senior pitcher, Dan Pacha threw the final inning for the Prairie Stars, wrapping up their fourth victory of the season.

Galeano went 2-for-5 on the day, driving in four runs, while Hannam had a hit, two RBI, and two runs scored. McGrath came off the bench and reached base three times, scoring twice and stealing a base as well.

The pitching staff combined to give up ten hits, five runs (three earned), and strike out eight on the day.
The series will conclude tomorrow with a 12:00 game before the Prairie Stars return home over the weekend for a doubleheader on Friday with Rockhurst.