SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars took on their first ranked opponent of the season, and fell to #8 Quincy 17-8 on a day that considerably favored hitters. UIS (6-8) surrendered five runs in the first innings and were unable to make a comeback against the Hawks (13-3).
With a 20 mph wind blowing straight out to left, hitters held a strong advantage in the mid-week non-conference matchup. Quincy homered twice in the top of the first, both to left field, to take a 5-0 lead. Two more runs in the top of the second stretched their lead to seven before UIS put together a rally in the bottom of the third.
Following a 1-2-3 inning from
Gavin Collins,
Trey Hannam leadoff the third inning with a solo homerun to dead center field, his first homer of the season.
Kenny Hansen and
Gabriel Acevedo followed with back-to-back singles before
Jason Galeano was hit by a pitch to load the bases. An error plated the second run for UIS and then a single from
Jake Redlinger scored two more, making the score 7-4.
Down just three, UIS was back in the game, but Quincy plated four runs in the next half inning after the inning began with a solo shot to right center from the Quincy shortstop.
Just like Hannam, Acevedo led off the fifth with a solo blast, his second of the season.
The Prairie Stars didn't score again until the final inning when they strung together four straight baserunners to begin the inning.
Kyle Hunsinger doubled before Hannam walked, setting up back-to-back doubles from Hansen and Acevedo, driving in three runs. That's all the offense that UIS would get though, as the game ended 17-8.
UIS totaled 11 hits on the day, including five for extra bases, and walked six times. Hannam and Hansen each had two hits, scored twice, and drove in a run. Acevedo went 3-for-5 on the day, driving in three runs and scoring twice.
The pitching staff, which has been so consistent all year struggled, giving up 17 runs (16 earned) on 14 hits. The staff walked nine batters and hit one more as five pitchers were used.
UIS will play their first conference series this coming weekend, as they host McKendree on Friday and Saturday. The two teams will play a double header on Friday beginning at 12 and then conclude the series on Saturday with another double header beginning at the same time.
NOTES: Although Quincy is in the GLVC, this doesn't count towards conference records ... Only games within the division count for GLVC standings ... the top-four teams from each division will qualify for the conference tournament ... No teams have played interdivisional games yet.
