Box Score The No. 4 University of Illinois Springfield baseball team opened up its Quincy series on Friday afternoon with a loss at the UIS Baseball Field. The Prairie Stars fell 3-2 to the No. 23 Hawks.
 
The game was a pitcher's duel throughout as both teams struggled offensively. The difference came in the sixth inning when Quincy hit a pair of solo homers, its second and third homers on the day, which broke a 1-1 tie. UIS got within one in the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer of its own, but couldn't get the tying run past first base.
 
Kal Youngquist had two of the Prairie Stars' five hits, including a RBI single in the third inning which scored Bobby Barnard. Chris Mathieu hit the sole homer for UIS. In the first inning of the game, Mathieu became the school's all-time leader in games played with his 172nd appearance. 

The bullpen kept the game close for the Prairie Stars as five pitchers threw 5 1/3 innings. Those relievers inherited five runners and none of the five scored. Cameron Leff and Cade Sestak led the way with each pitching a scoreless inning.
 
UIS falls to 32-5 on the season and 28-5 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars and Hawks are scheduled to play a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon in Springfield, Ill.