UIS Baseball has started the season strong, with two Prairie Stars earning GLVC Weekly honors after the season-opening series against Tusculum.

Esteban Hernandez was named GLVC Pitcher of the Week after a dominant start in the season opener on Friday. Hernandez threw 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and three walks, while striking out two. His performance set the tone in an eventual 10-5 win over Tusculum. 

On the offensive side, Ethan Bowers earned GLVC Player of the Week honors. Bowers posted a .500 batting average, recording seven hits, including including doubles, in the opening series. Bowers was a key contributor in both of the team's wins, including a 3-for-3, 2-RBI performance in the series finale. 

With Hernandez's dominance on the mound and Bowers' consistent offensive output, the Prairie Stars swept the GLVC Weekly awards, a promising start to the 2025 season. UIS is back at it this week at the MSSU Lion Classic, slated for Feb. 14-16 in Joplin, Mo.