SPRINGFIELD, IL --- After suffering a couple tough losses in Georgia, the Prairie Stars (2-3) will open their home portion of the season this weekend as they face Missouri S&T (8-4). The two teams will play a four-game set, beginning on Friday with a 2 pm first pitch. The series will continue on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon and conclude on Sunday with the same time for the first pitch. 

SETTING THE SCENE
The Prairie Stars began the season with a 12-0 drubbing of Robert Morris – Springfield and then traveled to Georgia for a four-game series against UMSL, in a non-divisional GLVC series. UIS split on the first day, falling 2-1 before shutting out the Tritons behind the arm of Chance Simpson. The series concluded with UMSL taking the final two games by a total of three runs.

Missouri S&T began the season by winning their first eight games, all of which were at home. They have since lost their next four games --- all on the road --- and are in the middle of a 13-game stretch away from Rolla, Missouri.

SENIOR STAFF
The Prairie Stars are built around their senior laden pitching staff, which includes seven senior pitchers. They combined for 266 innings last season and 14 wins. So far in the season, Simpson has led the way on the mound, picking up a win in his only start. On the season, he has thrown nine innings, surrendered just four hits and struck out six.

In total, the seven seniors have thrown 35 of the 40 innings on the season so far, surrendering just 19 hits and striking out 34 batters.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
UIS has committed just four errors on the season so far, less than one per game. Their opponents have already committed nine errors, while the Prairie Stars hold a .978 fielding percentage. On top of that, UIS has walked just 14 total batters in 40 innings opposed to striking out 37.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kenny Hansen leads all UIS hitters after five games, hitting .500 on the season (7-of-14) with one double and two RBI. Gabriel Acevedo leads the team with eight hits through five games, including three doubles and one homerun. His 14 total bases also lead the team and he has four RBI on the year. Senior second baseman and returning All-GLVC selection, Adam Warda, has already collected two homeruns on the season and of his five hits, three have gone for extra bases. He is slugging .632 on the year and has stolen a base.

For Missouri S&T, after 12 games, they have five eligible players hitting over .300. In total, they have seven players who have double digit hits and as a team, have hit 28 doubles on the season. Nick Ulrich has a team high 19 hits so far, including seven doubles, one triple, and two homeruns, while driving in a team-high 14. 

WHO'S UP NEXT
After the four-game series with the Miners, the Prairie Stars will travel to Kentucky State for a midweek doubleheader on Tuesday before hosting Rockhurst on Friday for games at 12 and 3 pm.