BENTONVILLE, AR --- The Prairie Stars (2-0) began the season in walk-off fashion, winning the first game of the 2017 season on a three-run walk-off homerun from Morgan Edwards. Illinois Springfield won their opener 7-5, scoring five unanswered runs in the final two innings against Northwest Missouri (2-4). UIS followed up that performance with a 6-3 win over Missouri Western (7-3).

GAME ONE: ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 7, NORTHWEST MISSOURI 5
On a picture perfect February day, UIS opened up their new season with a 1-2-3 inning behind sophomore starting pitcher Jaycee Craver. With five newcomers at the top of the lineup, Ali Haesele singled in the first at-bat of the year, stole second and came into score on a double from Makayla Walsh. UIS took a 2-0 lead after the first when Edwards scored on an error.

Northwest Missouri didn't get their first baserunner until the third inning, scoring after a leadoff single and cutting the Prairie Star lead to 2-1.

A three-run fourth gave the Bearcats a 4-1 lead as they finally were able to get to Craver, who gave up one more run in the top of the sixth.

Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Amanda Gosbeth started a Prairie Star rally with a one-out single to left. An infield single from Erin Stroup put runners at first and second where Madi Torry singled in two runs with a two-out single to center, making the score 5-4.

After stranding two runners in the top half, UIS trailed by one in with three outs remaining. Haesele began the inning with a single to right. A Bearcat error on a Lakyn Wagoner batted ball put runners on second and third with no outs but it would not matter as Edwards took the final pitch of the game out to right-center for the three-run walk-off blast.

GAME TWO: ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 6, MISSOURI WESTERN 3
Again in comeback fashion, UIS won the back end of their doubleheader with a 6-3 win over Missouri Western. Haesele began the game in the circle for UIS and gave up two runs in the second inning but a two-run single from Stroup tied the game in the top of the third.

A solo homerun in the third put UIS down 3-2 but three unanswered runs later, UIS found themselves on top for their second straight victory.

To begin the fifth, Haesele drew a walk to begin the inning and after a foul out and pop out, UIS rallied to score three times. Walsh singled prior to Stroup drawing a walk, which set up a bases loaded opportunity to Allison Rose, who walked to force in a run. A critical error from Missouri Western allowed two unearned runs for UIS, giving the Prairie Stars a 5-3 advantage.

UIS scratched across another run in the sixth, courtesy of back-to-back doubles from Wagoner and Edwards.

Craver came in relief to throw the final two innings, getting the save and assisting in Haesele's first collegiate win.

PRAIRIE STAR NOTES
UIS is 2-0 for the fourth time in Division II history and first since 2015 … UIS will seek to tie the best start in Division II history with two wins on Saturday … Erin Stroup reached base safely in 6-of-7 plate appearances, collecting four hits, a walk, and hit-by-pitch … Makayla Walsh, Morgan Edwards, and Lakyn Wagoner each collected three hits on the day … Ali Haesele scored a team-high three runs on the opening day … Jaycee Craver threw nine innings, struck out five and picked up a save ... Haesele threw five innings and picked up her first collegiate win.