The UIS baseball team dropped both games against Northwood on Monday, falling to a 3-5 overall record. The Prairie Stars hit two home runs in a 4-2 loss in the seven-inning opener, while the Timberwolves pulled away for a 12-5 win in the nine-inning series finale. Despite recording 12 hits in the second game, UIS couldn't overcome an early deficit as Northwood built a commanding lead through the middle innings.
GAME ONE | L, 4-2
- Northwood took an early lead in the second inning, scoring three runs on a single and two consecutive RBI walks.
- UIS responded in the bottom half when Ivan Dahlberg launched a solo homer to make it 3-1. Noah Caceres added another solo shot in the fifth, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
- Northwood tacked on an insurance run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly to seal the win.
- Mark Decicco (0-1) took the loss for UIS, allowing three runs over 1.2 innings. Seth Masters and Austin Loberger were strong in relief, combining for 4.1 scoreless innings. Grant LaMarche earned the win for Northwood, holding UIS to two hits over seven innings.
- Northwood took control early, scoring on a sacrifice fly in the second before erupting for five runs in the third.
- UIS got on the board in the fifth when Nate Bingman launched a solo home run to center field. The Timberwolves answered with a run in the sixth, but the Prairie Stars responded with a three-run rally. Bingman's RBI single, a fielding error, and a Jackson Blemler sacrifice fly cut the deficit to 10-4.
- Northwood added two more runs in the eighth, while UIS plated one final run in the bottom half on Blemler's RBI double, but the comeback fell short.
- Bingman led the UIS offense, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a home run. Chris Suchoski collected four hits, and Blemler drove in two runs.
- Adam Lindsey (0-2) took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) over three innings. Tyler Crawford earned the win for Northwood, giving up just one run over 4.1 innings.
UIS will travel to Crestview Hills, Ky., for a doubleheader against Thomas More on Friday. The Prairie Stars then return home to Springfield for a conference series against Lewis from March 7-9.