SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (0-2) took a quick lead in the first inning, but a third inning grand slam from the Hawks (2-0) turned the tide of the game. Adam Gregory took the loss for Illinois Springfield, throwing 2.1 innings and giving up five runs.

After getting out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first, UIS responded with a two-out rally, beginning with a single from Trey Hannam. This was followed by a near homerun from Michael Rothmund, coming up inches short in the left center gap. Hannam narrowly beat the throw home, giving UIS an early 1-0 lead.

In the third, Gregory began the inning with a strike out, but gave up two consecutive singles and hit a batter to load the bases. With an 0-2 count, Jeremy Lufft lifted one over the left field wall, giving the Hawks a 5-1 lead.

Rockhurst scored ten unanswered, tacking on two more in the fourth and three in the sixth before UIS responded.

In the sixth, UIS rallied with two-outs again, getting a double from Austin Muench and scoring on a single from Chris Mathieu. Ben Schanding --- who previously reached on a walk --- scored on a wild pitch and then Mathieu came into score on a pinch-hit single from Kenny Hansen.

UIS plated two more runs in the eighth on a singles from Ryan Deering and Cole Taylor.

Gregory took the loss for the Prairie Stars, giving up five runs (all earned) in 2.1 innings. Brayden Jensen relieved Gregory and threw 3.1 innings, surrendering nine hits and five runs (four earned) before Jon Laird came into throw for 1.2 innings. Laird gave up four runs, though none were earned.

UIS will go off for a week before they travel to Oakland City on February 25^th and 26^th for a four-game series.