SPRINGFIELD, IL --- With opening day pushed up exactly seven days, Illinois Springfield took on Rockhurst in the first game of the 2017 season. UIS (0-1) fell to the Hawks (1-0) by a score of 8-3, capitalizing on three Prairie Star errors on the day.
Gunnar Kay (0-1) took the loss for the Prairie Stars, throwing five innings and giving up five runs (three earned).
After a perfect 1-2-3 top of the first,
Cole Taylor recorded the first hit of the season, singling to right and putting himself in scoring position with a stolen base. UIS was unable to capitalize though, stranding Taylor at second.
The Hawks scored first, courtesy of a solo homerun to lead off the second and tacked on two more in the third on their second homerun of the day. Rockhurst scored twice more in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead, this time using a Prairie Star error to aid in the rally.
UIS got on the board in the fifth after
Myles Hann singled to left to begin the inning. An error from the Hawks put runners on first and second and Taylor took advantage, roping a two-run triple to right center, scoring two.
Trey Hannam then took a two-strike high fastball and connected for an RBI single to left, making the score 5-3.
The Hawks responded with an unearned run in the sixth and tacked on two more in the seventh, utilizing a two-out error from UIS.
The bullpens shut down the offenses for the remainder of the game, keeping the score the same for the final two and half frames.
Taylor was the lone Prairie Star with multiple hits, going 3-for-5 in his Prairie Star debut with a run and two RBI. Hannam collected the other RBI while
James Battley and Hann scored the other two runs.
Gunnar Kay took the loss for UIS, throwing five innings of four hit ball, surrendering five runs, though just three were earned.
Ethan Howard took the ball in the sixth and retired six Hawks, giving up four hits and three runs (zero earned).
Cameron Zunkel and
R.D. Lutze threw the final two innings, each striking out two and not giving up any hits.
UIS will conclude their opening two-game series with Rockhurst tomorrow with a 1 PM first pitch.
