The Prairie Stars jumped out to an early lead. Tommy Atkinson doubled, setting the stage as Kaden Griffitts and Johnny Wendling each contributed RBI hits, giving the Prairie Stars a 2-0 lead. Salem went scoreless in the bottom of the inning.
In the second inning, the Prairie Stars extended their lead. After Tyler Thompson and Noah Caceres walked, Atkinson drove them in with a single, followed by Corey Boyette’s RBI single, making it 5-0. Salem responded with two runs of its own, closing the gap to 5-2.
The fourth inning saw Griffitts hit a two-run homer, increasing the Prairie Stars’ lead. Salem matched with two runs in their half, maintaining a tight contest.
In the fifth, the Prairie Stars added two more runs, highlighted by Griffitts doubling in a run. Salem countered with three runs, narrowing the margin to 9-7.
Salem pushed across three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on a hit-by-pitch and two bases-loaded walks to earn the 10-9 win.
Mark DeCicco started on the mound for the Prairie Stars, pitching 4 innings and allowing four earned runs on five hits, with five strikeouts. Jacob McPherson then faced three batters without recording an out, surrendering three earned runs. Jaden Mathon provided stability by pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two. Derek Huber contributed 1 2/3 innings with one earned run on one hit, adding three strikeouts. The game concluded with Austin Loberger and Brayden Mayer unable to secure outs in the ninth inning.
Griffitts delivered a powerful offensive performance with three hits, including two doubles and a home run, while collecting four RBIs. Atkinson and Boyette each made an impact by achieving three hits and driving in two runs. Wendling also added three hits and a single RBI to round out the team’s top individual performances.
Up Next
UIS prepares for its first full weekend at home on March 6-8, hosting Davenport in a four-game series.
