GAME ONE | W, 15-3
The Prairie Stars jumped out to a commanding lead in the opener, scoring five runs in the first inning. After Tommy Atkinson walked and Kody Morton struck out, Corey Boyette launched a two-run homer. Kaden Griffitts singled, and Johnny Wendling reached on an error to load the bases for Noah Caceres, who cleared them with a three-RBI double, putting UIS ahead 5-0.
UIS added three more runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jesse Contrerasand a sacrifice fly from Griffitts, making it 8-0 before William Jewell scored. The Prairie Stars extended the lead with two more runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, including an RBI double from Griffitts and a Caceres sacrifice fly. The Cardinals plated two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh.
UIS capped the game in the with solo home runs from Morton and Boyette, plus a run-scoring double from Wendling, sealing a 15-3 win.
Ben Benoit earned the win, pitching six innings while allowing three earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Brayden Mayer added two scoreless innings in relief. Boyette led the offense with two home runs, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Contreras reached base twice including a two-run homer, and Caceres had two doubles and four RBIs.
GAME TWO | W, 11-4
In the nightcap, UIS again jumped out early. Atkinson walked, stole third, and later scored on a groundout by Griffitts. William Jewell answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but UIS plated three runs in the second. Contreras singled, Atkinson doubled, and Morton’s groundout scored Contreras. Boyette followed with a single that drove in Atkinson, and Griffitts capped the rally with an RBI double to make it 4-1.
Johnny Wendling hit a two-run homer in the fourth, and UIS added three solo home runs in the sixth from Atkinson, Boyette, and Griffitts, pushing the lead to 9-1. Two more runs came in the seventh on a wild pitch and a bases-loaded walk, and despite a WJC two-run homer, the Prairie Stars closed the first day of conference play with an 11-4 victory.
Trey Carter (3-0) earned the win, pitching 5 1/3 innings while allowing two earned runs on two hits with six strikeouts. Richie Snider added 1 2/3 innings of relief, recording three strikeouts. Atkinson went 3-for-4 with a home run, scored four runs, and stole two bases. Griffitts added three hits, a home run and two doubles, while Boyette had two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs.
With the doubleheader sweep, UIS improves to 13-6 overall and 2-0 in GLVC play, while the Cardinals fall to 4-12 overall and 0-2 in conference action. The series continues with two more games scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
