The University of Illinois Springfield softball team opened its three-game series with Missouri Western on Tuesday by splitting a doubleheader. The Prairie Stars won the opener, but fell in game two.
 
UIS had a come-from-behind 6-4 win in game one. The Prairie Stars trailed 4-1 heading into the top of the seventh. The Prairie Stars collected seven hits in their at-bat, and pushed across five runs for the win. The big hit was a two-run single by Lindsay LaDere that broke a 4-4 tie.
 
Danielle Dennis finished the game with two hits, three RBI, and a run. Carly Chovanec, Bree Derhake, LaDere, and Carolyn Franke all had two hits. Derhake also scored twice in the game.
 
Danielle Dennis earned the win in relief, throwing 1 2/3 innings and allowing just two hits and one run. Payton Long started the contest, and then reentered in the bottom of the seventh for the save.
 
The second game was a defensive battle, with the Griffons leading 3-0 after two innings, and UIS unable to comeback. The Prairie Stars got hits from Chovanec, Lakyn Wagoner, and Dennis, and the team's lone run was Dennis driving in Derhake. Addison Bryant threw a complete game, allowing six hits and three runs in six innings.
 
UIS and Missouri Western will conclude their series on Wednesday afternoon.