The University of Illinois Springfield softball team split a doubleheader on Saturday at home against Missouri S&T. The Prairie Stars won the opener by a 7-3 score, and fell in game two by an 8-3 margin.
 
In the opener, UIS used its speed to disrupt the Miners defense. The Prairie Stars stole four bases and the speed helped cause five Missouri S&T errors. That led to six unearned runs crossing the plate, which was the difference in the game.
 
Natalie Cokel scored twice in the game, and Haley Inman and Grace Harris each had one hit, one run, and one RBI. Harris had the biggest hit of the game in the fourth. UIS trailed 3-2 at the time and had two on and two outs. Harris hit a ball that dropped in front of the center fielder which scored one run, and kept the inning going for three more runs to score.
 
Payton Long earned the win as she threw a complete game. She allowed five hits and six walks, and she struck out two.
 
In the second game, Missouri S&T scored seven runs in the first three innings and UIS couldn't get enough of those runs back.
 
Cokel had two hits and scored twice more. Inman also had a pair of hits and one RBI. Bree Derhake had the other run, and Calla Wickenhauser and Ali Bortmess drove in one run apiece.
 
UIS is now 19-15 overall and 8-4 in the GLVC. The Prairie Stars are in action on Sunday with a home doubleheader against Drury. That game has a new start time of 11 a.m.