The University of Illinois Springfield softball team lost a pair of 8-4 decisions on Friday on day one of the Drury Invitational. The defeats came against Upper Iowa and Midwestern State.
 
In the Upper Iowa game, the offense started slow and Upper Iowa built a 5-0 lead before UIS started hitting. UIS loaded the bases in the final inning with one out, but couldn't get a big hit to tie the game.
 
Laney Gowin had two hits for UIS, Kelsie Burrows had two runs, and Kayana Diederich had a two-run homer. Natalie Cokel and Ashley Klinzing both had doubles for the Prairie Stars. Reagan Miles came in relief and pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed just one run.
 
UIS fell behind early again against Midwestern State as the Mustangs scored seven times in the first two innings. Klinzing had a big afternoon by going four-for-four with three runs and four stolen bases. Danielle Dennis had a run and RBI as well. Miles was the top pitcher again, throwing four innings and giving up one run.
 
UIS is now 1-6 on the season. The Prairie Stars will face a pair of MIAA schools tomorrow in Nebraska-Kearney and Northwest Missouri. The game times have been moved to 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively.