The UIS baseball team saw its season come to an end on Sunday at the NCAA DII Midwest Regional, falling twice to Indianapolis at UIS Baseball Field as UIndy advanced to the Super Regional round.
UIS dropped the opening game of the day 11-9 after building an early five-run lead. The Prairie Stars exploded for nine runs through the first three innings, highlighted by home runs from Kaden Griffitts and Corey Boyette. Griffitts launched a two-run homer in the first inning, while Boyette followed with a three-run shot in the second to help UIS take a 7-3 advantage. Johnny Wendling added two hits and an RBI, and Tommy Atkinson scored twice while reaching base multiple times.
Indianapolis chipped away throughout the afternoon before tying the game with a four-run seventh inning. The Greyhounds then took the lead for good on a two-run home run in the eighth inning and held off UIS in the ninth to force a winner-take-all Game 7.
In the decisive game, UIS battled throughout another offensive shootout before falling 17-14. The Prairie Stars totaled 14 hits and hit three home runs but could not overcome four home runs from Indianapolis.
Kody Morton connected on a two-run homer in the third inning, Drew Ezard added a three-run blast in the fourth, and Griffitts capped the day with a two-run homer in the ninth. Morton scored three runs and drove in two, while Boyette finished with two doubles and three RBIs. Griffitts added three runs scored and two RBIs, and Ezard totaled three RBIs in the loss.
Despite trailing by as many as eight runs, UIS continued to fight back late into the game. The Prairie Stars scored four runs over the final two innings but were unable to complete the comeback as Indianapolis secured the regional title.
UIS finishes the season with a 36-20 overall record. Indianapolis improves to 37-22 and advances to the NCAA DII Midwest Super Regional at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich.
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