Illinois Springfield baseball (10-4) secured a 13-9 victory over Davenport (4-9) on Friday, highlighted by a six-run rally in the seventh inning. The UIS defense was strong, notching 16 assists, which exceeded their season average of 9.64
Ben Benoit delivered a solid performance on the mound, pitching 5 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 8 hits. He struck out 6 batters swinging, well above his average, while issuing just 1 walk, throwing a season-high 97 pitches with 55 strikes.
Jaden Mathon struggled in relief, yielding 4 earned runs on 5 hits.
Derek Huber provided stability out of the bullpen, pitching 3 innings and allowing 2 earned runs, while recording 1 strikeout and maintaining a WHIP of 1.00. He also threw a season-high 45 pitches.
Kyle Tyler contributed a brief but effective appearance, retiring his only batter faced on 3 pitches.
Tommy Atkinson recorded three runs, two hits, and three RBIs, including a home run, showcasing his effectiveness at the plate with at least two hits in five consecutive games.
Corey Boyette contributed with a home run and a season-high four RBIs, reaching base with three walks, which was also his season high.
Kaden Griffitts added one run, one hit, and one RBI, highlighted by a home run.
Drew Ezard scored twice and hit a home run, driving in one run with his performance.
Davenport took an early lead in the first inning with a homer by Wyatt Epple and an RBI single from Aiden Warn, putting them ahead 2-0. The Prairie Stars were held scoreless in their half, ending the inning with Davenport leading 2-0.
In the bottom of the second,
Drew Ezard hit a solo home run to left center, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Davenport maintained its lead through two innings with a score of 2-1.
Davenport added another run in the third inning with a solo home run by Aiden Warn, extending its lead to 3-1. The Prairie Stars could not respond in their half, leaving the score at 3-1 after three innings.
The Prairie Stars took the lead in the fourth inning after
Chris Suchoski scored on a balk.
Kody Morton then delivered a two-RBI single, pushing them ahead to 4-3 after four innings.
Kaden Griffitts homered to left center in the fifth inning, adding another run for the Prairie Stars and increasing their lead to 5-3.
Davenport's offense erupted in the sixth with a two-run homer by Cam Johnson and RBI doubles from Wyatt Epple and Cody Hultink, reclaiming the lead. The Prairie Stars could not score in their half, ending the inning with Davenport ahead 7-5.
In the seventh inning, the Prairie Stars responded with a six-run rally.
Jesse Contreras walked to drive in a run, followed by
Tommy Atkinson's RBI single.
Corey Boyette then hit a grand slam, launching the Prairie Stars to an 11-7 lead.
The Prairie Stars further extended their lead in the eighth with
Tommy Atkinson's two-run homer, making it 13-7. Davenport was unable to score, leaving the inning with the Prairie Stars leading 13-7.
Davenport managed to score two runs in the ninth inning, but the Prairie Stars held on to secure a 13-9 victory.
Up Next
The Prairie Stars will take the field again on Saturday against Davenport at 11:00 a.m. for the first game of a doubleheader.
