The UIS baseball team dropped both games of a Sunday afternoon doubleheader against Missouri S&T, falling 3-2 and 5-4 in extra innings. UIS lost the series and slipped to fourth in the GLVC standings.

The Prairie Stars opened the day with a strong first inning as Kaden Griffitts hit a two-run homer to center field, scoring Corey Boyette, who had walked. UIS held onto that lead until the fourth inning when Missouri S&T responded with a two-run homer to left field, tying the game at 2-2. The score remained deadlocked through the ninth, but in the tenth inning, Missouri S&T's Landen Roberts singled and later scored the winning run on a hit-by-pitch, resulting in a 3-2 final score.

Mark DeCicco started on the mound for UIS, pitching 4 2/3 innings with three strikeouts while allowing two earned runs on four hits. Isaac Graf provided relief, matching DeCicco's duration on the mound with 4 2/3 innings pitched, allowing one run on two hits and striking out three. Richie Snider faced the final two batters.

Kaden Griffitts led the offensive charge with a home run and two RBIs, while Corey Boyette contributed with a hit and a run, and Tommy Atkinson added a double.

In the series finale, UIS fell short with a final score of 5-4. UIS took an early lead when Tommy Atkinson reached first on an error and scored on a single by Kaden Griffitts, putting UIS ahead 1-0 after the first inning. In the second, Noah Caceres singled, followed by Kody Morton's two-run homer, extending the lead to 3-0. Kaden Griffitts continued to contribute in the third inning with a single and a run scored.

However, Missouri S&T added a solo home run to make it 4-1. Then, the game went scoreless through the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. The tide turned in the seventh when Missouri S&T scored three runs to tie the game at 4-4. In the extra eighth inning, a Miner singled and later stole home, giving the Miners a 5-4 win.

Graham Kasey delivered a solid start for UIS, pitching five innings, allowing only one earned run on three hits and striking out three batters. Austin Loberger faced challenges, giving up three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings, while Derek Huber pitched 2/3 of an inning with one earned run and was credited with the loss, making his record 4-1. Kody Morton stood out offensively, hitting a home run and driving in three, while Kaden Griffitts contributed with two hits and one RBI.

The Prairie Stars will look to regroup as they prepare to face Maryville at 6:00 p.m. Friday at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield. The series opener will be played at the home of the Prospect League's Lucky Horseshoes, with games two through four set for Saturday and Sunday at the UIS Baseball Field.