SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (5-8) opened up their home schedule by hosting Saginaw Valley State University but fell twice by scores of 11-5 and 15-6. A five-run sixth inning for the Cardinals broke the first game open after it was tied at three for three innings. UIS opened up game two with a six-run first, but was unable to hold down the offense, surrendering 15 unanswered runs.

GAME ONE: SAGINAW VALLEY 11, ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 5
The Cardinals opened the day by scoring two runs in the top of the first off starter, Ali Haesele (3-2), all with two outs. UIS answered right back, scoring three runs in the bottom half, also all with two outs. Makayla Walsh got the first RBI of the day with a bases loaded walk before Madi Torry doubled down the left field line, scoring two more, giving UIS a 3-2 lead.

Saginaw Valley answered with a run in the second to tie the game and the two teams remained scoreless until the sixth. Two solo homeruns for the Cardinals forced Haesele out of the game, but they were able to tack on three more off Brittany Moore in relief, coming on their third homerun of the inning.

As they did previously, UIS answered right back, scoring two runs in the bottom half, again with two outs. Amanda Gosbeth hit the first pitch she saw to right center for a double, scoring two runs and making the score 8-5.

The Cardinals scored three more runs in the seventh to make the score 11-5 where it became final.

Haesele took the loss, throwing six innings, and giving up five runs (three earned) on ten hits.

GAME TWO: SAGINAW VALLEY 15, ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 6
To begin the second game, UIS brought their bats with a vengeance, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Haley Inman began the inning with a double to left center and stole third on the next pitch. Inman came into score on a single from Torry.

Morgan Edwards got in on the action with a two-RBI single to right center, scoring Gosbeth and Erin Stroup and later came into score on a double from Bree Derhake. Rachel Goff scored Lakyn Wagoner on an RBI groundout before the Prairie Stars capitalized on an error from the Cardinals, scoring the sixth and final run.

All in all, UIS recorded six runs on six hits --- including two doubles --- and left two on base.

From then on, it was all Cardinals though, as they visitors scored three runs in the second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings en route to 15 unanswered runs.

Jacyee Craver (2-3) took the loss, throwing five innings, giving up 11 runs (nine earned) on nine hits. Rachel Goff threw two innings of relief, giving up four runs (one earned) as UIS made five errors on the night.

PRAIRIE STAR NOTES: Madi Torry went 3-for-6 with a walk, double, run, and three RBI on the day … Torry's double was the second of her career … Haley Inman went 2-for-4 in the second game, recording her first career double … UIS will host Saginaw Valley for two more games on Saturday with first-pitch at 12:00 pm.