JACKSONVILLE, IL --- The Prairie Stars (29-17, 17-7) set the program record for wins with a split against Saint Joseph's in the final home games of the season. UIS fell in game one 12-7 before bouncing back with an 11-5 win in the final game of the series, picking up their 29^th win of the season, the most in UIS history. With the win, UIS clinched a spot in the GLVC Tournament, now seven games up on the fifth place team with four games to play.

GAME ONE: SAINT JOSEPH'S 12, ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 7
A six-run third inning gave the Puma's the early advantage as Cameron Zunkel fell subject to two Prairie Star miscues in the inning. Cole Taylor chipped away with a solo shot in the following half inning but the Puma's came back with five more runs in the top of the fourth and another in the fifth to take a commanding 12-1 lead after five innings.

The runs came late for UIS but their rally fell short as Michael Rothmund drove in a run in the fifth before Zach Patterson blasted a three-run home run to right center. James Battley connected for a two-run shot in the seventh to make the score 12-7 but that is all UIS would get.

Zunkel (2-2) took the loss, throwing three innings and giving up nine runs (four earned). On a windy day at Lenz Field, the UIS staff had some control issues in game one, walking 10 batters.

Taylor ended the game 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI while Trey Hannam had two hits and a run. Myles Hann went 3-for-4 with a run as well.

GAME TWO: ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 11, SAINT JOSEPH'S 5
In game two, the Prairie Stars offense got rolling early, scoring a run in the first when Rothmund drove in Taylor. The Puma's got a run back in the third to tie the game at one but UIS plated four runs in the fourth to go up 5-1.

???????Battley drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI groundout before Taylor drove in Drew Harper. Rothmund doubled to left center to once again score Taylor, before Hannam scored Rothmund to end the scoring in the inning.

???????Rothmund added another RBI groundout in the sixth to push the score to 6-1.

Saint Joseph's plated three runs in the top of the seventh but UIS came back with five of their own to make the score 11-4 and put the game out of reach.

???????Brayden Jensen (6-0) put together a gem in tough conditions, throwing eight innings and giving up five runs while striking out eight. R.D. Lutze closed out the game to keep Jensen's perfect season intact, throwing a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the series.

Taylor went 4-for-5 in the final game with two runs and three RBI to end his day 7-for-8 at the plate against the second best pitching staff in the conference. Rothmund added two hits and three RBI while John Sechen also collected three hits, including an RBI triple.

UIS will close out the regular season next weekend at the University of Indianapolis with games on Friday and Sunday to accommodate the UIndy graduation. Games on Friday will start at 12 with the same case on Sunday.