The University of Illinois Springfield softball team split a Saturday doubleheader against McKendree thanks to a come-from-behind victory in game one. The Prairie Stars won the opening contest by a 3-2 score, but fell in game two by an 11-2 margin.
 
The Prairie Stars used their speed to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, despite having just one hit beyond the infield. UIS entered the inning down 2-0, and it got things started with an infield hit by pinch hitter Laney Gowin. Natalie Cokel singled to center, and then stole second to put the tying run in scoring position.
 
After a strikeout came the play of the game when Calla Wickenhauser bunted perfectly between the pitcher and catcher. While one run score, she reached base without a throw and then advanced to second where no one was initially covering first. McKendree threw late to second, which allowed Cokel to score the tying run.
 
A bunt put Wickenhauser on third, and she then scored the game-winning run on an infield single by Ashley Klinzing.
 
Evey Evans was the winner on the mound in game one. She threw the final 4 2/3 innings of relief and did not allow a run. She gave up five hits and a walk. Two of those hits came in the seventh inning, but she stranded the runners with a game-ending groundball to second.
 
UIS was outhit 11-5 in the first game, but the Prairie Stars stranded nine runners in the game and held McKendree to just four-of-18 batting with runners on base.
 
In the second game, McKendree broke it open after scoring three or more runs in each of the first three innings. Danielle Dennis had two hits and a run in that game, and Grace Harris also had a pair of hits. A pinch runner for Harris, Ramsey Armstrong, scored the team's second run.
 
UIS goes to 7-15 overall and 2-4 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars will be back in action in Chatham, Ill. tomorrow at noon with a doubleheader against Southern Indiana.