SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars took game one for the second straight day but fell in the series finale as they split with their fourth straight conference opponent. UIS took game one by a score of 4-3 before falling in the finale 10-4. The Prairie Stars are now 19-16 on the season and 8-8 in the GLVC.

GAME ONE: ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 4, BELLARMINE 3
The Knights jumped on UIS starter, Chance Simpson early, scoring two runs in the first and adding another in the second. However, the offense was strong in the first game as Austin Muench led off the game for UIS with a solo homerun, cutting into the deficit quickly. The blast was Muench's third of the season.

Down 3-1 in the second, Jake Redlinger and John Sechen hit back-to-back doubles, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
In the fourth, Redlinger came up clutch again, hitting a solo homerun to tie the game at three. Following the homerun, Sechen drew a one-out walk and came into score on a double from Muench.

Up 3-2, Kyle Strepek and Richard England closed out the final 3.1 innings for UIS, surrendering no runs. The two combined to strike out three batters and walk none in the relief appearance. Strepek was credited with the win and England picked up his sixth save of the year.

GAME TWO: BELLARMINE 10, ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 4
UIS jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a sacrifice fly from Aaron Kuper and bases loaded walk from Zach Patterson. However, Bellarmine scored nine unanswered runs to take a 9-2 lead before UIS scored again.

Adam Warda knocked a two-RBI single to right center in the seventh to cut into the deficit but the Prairie Stars were unable to keep up with the Knights offense in the final game of the series.

UIS had just four hits in the second game, one from Warda, Acevedo, Hannam, and Hansen. However, the Prairie Stars drew eight walks in the game, but left ten runners stranded in the game.

UIS is now 19-16, 8-8 on the season and is one game out of the playoff picture behind Lewis. With three conference weekends remaining, UIS still has a home series with top ranked UIndy and Wisconsin – Parkside and then will travel to Saint Joseph's for the final series of the regular season.