To start UIS off, Tommy Atkinson singled to right field, and Kaden Griffitts followed with a double, placing runners on second and third. Kody Morton hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Atkinson to score. Brian Daker later delivered a two-RBI single through the left side, scoring Corey Boyette and Johnny Wendling, giving the Prairie Stars a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
Indianapolis got on the board in the sixth inning, starting with a single up the middle. A walk followed to put two runners on, and another single-this time to the left side-brought a run home to cut the deficit to 3-1 through six innings.
In the eighth inning, Noah Caceres singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Daker. Jesse Contreras followed with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Caceres to extend the lead to 4-1.
Zane Danielson set the tone with an efficient start, working five innings while allowing just one earned run on three hits and two walks. He kept Indianapolis off balance throughout to earn the win in his first decision of the season.
The relief group combined for four strikeouts and did not allow a run. Zach O’Donnell followed with a clean inning, adding a strikeout and allowing just one hit. Derek Huber contributed two steady innings, working around a pair of hits and a walk while striking out two. Richie Sniderclosed the game to earn the save, giving up a hit but finishing it off with a strikeout to seal the win.
Tommy Atkinson went three-for-three with two walks while Brian Daker contributed two hits and drove in two runs.
The Prairie Stars have a record of 30-13 and are 18-7 in the GLVC. Indianapolis holds a record of 24-19 with a 15-10 mark in conference play.
Looking ahead, UIS will take the field at 1:00 p.m. ET Saturday for a conference doubleheader, before wrapping up the series with a single game at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.
