Illinois-Springfield baseball (15-7, 4-1) fell to Drury (13-9, 4-1) in a high-scoring affair on Friday, 17-12. Despite two home runs from
Kaden Griffitts and 12 total walks, the Prairie Stars could not overcome the Drury Panthers in the extra inning game.
Drury set the tone early, using a double and a home run to build a 4-0 lead in the first. The Prairie Stars answered with an unearned run in the bottom half to make it 4-1.
UIS flipped the game in the second inning when
Kaden Griffitts launched a grand slam, giving the Prairie Stars their first lead at 5-4. Drury responded in the third with an RBI single to even the score at 5-5.
The Panthers surged back ahead in the fourth, scoring five runs behind a double from Logan Reidelberger and a home run by Connor Bain to go up 10-6. UIS got one back in the bottom of the inning, then chipped away again in the fifth as
Drew Ezard scored on an error, cutting the deficit to 10-7.
Griffitts delivered again in the sixth, blasting a three-run homer to tie the game at 10-10. Drury regained a narrow edge in the seventh, taking an 11-10 lead, and held that advantage through a scoreless eighth.
In the ninth,
Jesse Contreras came through with an RBI single to tie the game and force extra innings.
Drury broke it open in the tenth, scoring six runs—including a three-run homer—to secure the series-opening win.
Ben Benoit took the start for UIS, working four innings as Drury built its early lead. After that, the Prairie Stars found stability out of the bullpen.
Derek Huber,
Richie Snider, and
Isaac Graf combined to quiet the Panthers across the middle innings, allowing just one unearned run over the next 3 2/3 frames. Graf was particularly effective, striking out two over 2 2/3 innings of work. That stretch on the mound helped give UIS a chance to climb back and eventually tie the game late.
Kyle Tyler entered in the tenth, where the Panthers broke through for six runs to put the game out of reach.
Griffitts led the way with two home runs and seven RBIs, contributing significantly to the Prairie Stars' offensive output. Contreras collected three hits, including a double, and recorded one RBI while scoring once.
Tommy Atkinson scored three runs and drew three walks, effectively getting on base and advancing the team's scoring opportunities.
UIS has a record of 15-7 and 4-1 in the GLVC. Drury has a record of 13-9 and 4-1 in the conference.
Up Next
UIS and Drury continue the series Saturday with a noon doubleheader.
