The University of Illinois Springfield baseball team proved it could win in a variety of ways on Friday at the UIS Baseball Field during a doubleheader sweep over Missouri S&T. The Prairie Stars won by scores of 16-3 and 7-4.
 
In the opening game, UIS won a blowout with great starting pitching and an offense that scored multiple runs in every inning but one. In the second, the Prairie Stars needed a good performance from its bullpen, and one big inning that turned the momentum of the game.
 
In game one, Colton Hale threw five innings and moved to 4-0 on the year. He allowed four hits, two walks, and one run, and he struck out seven.
 
Offensively, UIS had 10 extra base hits in the game, including homers by Nick Mayerhofer, Chris Monroe, Chris Mathieu, and Bobby Barnard. Asher Bradd had three hits and three runs, Monroe scored three times, and Mathieu had three RBI.
 
In the second contest, UIS trailed for half the game, until it ended a 1-0 deficit with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. They led 7-1 in the top of the seventh, when Missouri S&T got the winning run to the plate before the Prairie Stars were able to close out the game.
 
The top pitcher in the second contest was Seth Masters, who threw 4 2/3 innings of relief and earned the win. He allowed one hit and no runs, and he struck out six. Mason Coon earned the save after getting a strikeout looking for the final out.
 
Bradd had the big hit offensively with a two-run double that put UIS ahead for good. He went on and scored later in the inning, and finished with two hits. Mathieu also had two hits and scored twice. Anthony Deconcilis had a pair of RBI.
 
UIS improves to 17-2 overall and 13-2 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars will go for a series sweep over the Miners on Saturday at 1 p.m.