CLERMONT, FL --- The Prairie Stars (7-10) opened up an eight-game Florida road trip with a dominate 8-0 win over Cedarville. UIS fell in the second game 5-4 as a late comeback fell short, with the tying run on third base. Ali Haesele was a big part of the 8-0 win, throwing a complete game three-hitter while also going 2-for-2 at the plate.

GAME ONE: ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 8, CEDARVILLE 0
After a quick 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first from Haesele, UIS jumped out early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. Amanda Gosbeth led off with a walk and stole second in front of a single from Madi Torry. Erin Stroup singled in both runs to get her day started. Stroup and BriAnna Edgar each came around to score on Cedarville errors later in the inning.

UIS scored again in the fourth on a bases loaded walk with Gosbeth getting the RBI and Haesele scoring the run before again helping her cause in the sixth with an RBI single, scoring Lakyn Wagoner.

The Prairie Stars ended the game early, scoring two more runs in the sixth, as Wagoner walked off with a two-RBI single, scoring Stroup and Gosbeth.

In the circle, Haesele retired 11 of the first 12 batters, allowing just a walk through 3.2 innings and then finished up by retiring 10 of the final 11 batters.

GAME TWO: NORTHWOOD 5, ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 4
The Prairie Stars outhit the Timberwolves 8-4 on the day but three errors cost UIS early, as only two of the five runs were earned. Jaycee Craver took the tough loss in the circle, giving up three runs (two earned) in 2.1 innings. A sac fly in the second gave Northwood the early lead, which increased to 3-0 in the third with an RBI double and then an error.

Two more sacrifice flies in the fifth pushed the Timberwolve's lead to 5-0. Rachel Goff, who relieved Craver in the third, threw 2.2 innings, giving up just one hit, though the Timberwolves scored twice (zero earned). Brittany Moore finished the final inning, striking out one in a perfect 1-2-3 frame.

In the sixth, the bats came alive for the Prairie Stars, starting with a walk from Goff, who was then ran for by Gosbeth. A single from Torry put runners at first and second which set up an RBI double from Stroup. Haesele followed with an RBI single and then Edwards closed out the scoring with another RBI single.

Down 5-4 heading to the final inning, Haley Inman singled to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Alexa McClaughry. Unfortunately, a ground out and strikeout ended the rally for UIS.

PRAIRIE STAR NOTES: Haesele (5-3) picked up the win in game one and went 3-for-5 with a walk at the plate … Erin Stroup went 3-for-6 with a walk, three doubles, three runs, three RBI and didn't commit an error … Four Prairie Stars collected three hits on the day: Haesele, Stroup, Wagoner, and Torry … Gosbeth scored three runs in the leadoff spot … Combined, the four pitchers gave up just two earned runs on the day.

UIS will play a doubleheader Saturday against Findlay and Walsh. UIS has already played both these teams this year at the Lewis Dome Invitational. The Prairie Stars beat Findlay 6-1 and fell to Walsh 1-0.