The UIS baseball team (4-0) edged Florida Southern (2-7) with a 3-2 victory on Friday night at Henley Field in Lakeland, Fla. The game was highlighted by a sixth-inning surge by the Prairie Stars, where they scored two runs to take the lead. This victory marks the first time UIS has started the season 4-0 since 2021.

The game was scoreless through the first three innings, but UIS took the lead in the fourth when Corey Boyette hit a solo home run to right field. Florida Southern matched that run in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single.

In the sixth inning, the UIS offense ignited with a two-out rally. Johnny Wendling doubled to left center, followed by Boyette's ground-rule double that brought Wendling home. A fielding error allowed Kody Morton to reach first and move Boyette to third, setting up Tommy Atkinson's RBI single to center, which brought in Boyette, extending the lead to 3-1.

Florida Southern responded in the seventh inning, narrowing the gap to 3‑2 with a single up the middle. UIS held on behind solid defensive plays, including two caught stealing. The defense proved decisive in the final innings, as Isaac Graf closed the game with a 1‑2‑3 frame, striking out all three batters, two swinging. 

Ben Benoit delivered a strong performance, pitching 6 2/3 innings while allowing five hits and two earned runs. He struck out five batters and walked two, maintaining a WHIP of 1.05 over 93 pitches, earning the win to improve to 2-0.

Isaac Graf pitched in relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings without allowing a hit and striking out five, securing the save. Benoit and Graf combined for 10 strikeouts and demonstrated effective control on the mound.

Corey Boyette led the offense with two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs.

"It was a great team win for our guys," said head coach Chris Rodriguez. "The environment was great as well. Playing a tough team on the road and finding a way to win was a byproduct of staying in the moment. We made plays all night defensively. Two-out hits from Johnny, Kory, and Tommy were enough for us on the mound tonight. Benoit and Graf were spectacular. We look to carry that momentum into tomorrow."

The Prairie Stars have an overall record of 4-0. The Florida Southern Mocs hold an overall record of 2-7.

Up Next
The four-game series continues on Saturday with a 12:00 p.m. CT (1:00 p.m. ET) doubleheader.