The University of Illinois Springfield softball team started the 2020 season with a walk-off homer, which led the squad to a doubleheader sweep over Ferris State on Saturday in St. Charles, Mo.
 
In the first game, UIS led 4-1 after a four-run third inning. With two outs, Lakyn Wagoner had the big hit with a two-run double that gave the Prairie Stars an early lead.
 
The score remained 4-1 until Ferris State rallied in the seventh with five runs, which put the Prairie Stars in a 6-4 hole. In the bottom half of the inning, Ferris State quickly retired the first batters, but singles by Carly Chovanec and Bree Derhake kept the game alive. Wagoner then hit a three-run homer for the exciting game one victory.
 
In her return to the UIS lineup, Wagoner had three hits, two runs, and five RBI. Chovanec had a pair of hits and two runs. Danielle Dennis had one hit, one run, and earned the win on the mound after pitching 3 1/3 innings. She allowed just one hit and struck out five.
 
In the second contest, UIS trailed 2-0 when it scored three times in the third. It then broke the game open with four runs in the fifth and one more in the sixth.
 
Addison Bryant earned the win after throwing a complete game. She allowed just one earned run, and struck out five. She helped herself with a two-run inside-the-park homer. Jillian Mathis had three hits and two runs, and Bree Derhake had three hits, including two doubles, two RBI, and one run. Wagoner added two more RBI to her day.
 
UIS and Ferris State will play twice more on Sunday in St. Charles, Mo.