With two solid victories on Friday, the UIS baseball team improved to a record of 5-5, defeating Thomas More 7-4 and 7-3 in a doubleheader.
GAME ONE | W, 7-4
- UIS took an early lead in the second inning when Michael Paule launched a two-run home run to center field, scoring Ty Hollandsworth. The Prairie Stars extended their advantage in the fourth with an RBI double from Dillon Smail, followed by an RBI single from Ethan Bowers to push the lead to 4-0.
- The offense continued to deliver in the sixth inning, as Paule doubled to drive in another run, followed by an RBI double from Noah Caceres and an RBI single from Smail, giving UIS a 7-0 lead.
- Thomas More answered in the bottom of the sixth with four runs, including a two-run homer. UIS reliever Kannon Walker allowed two runs, one earned, in two-thirds of an inning, but Seth Masters came in to close it out, pitching a scoreless seventh to secure the victory.
- Starting pitcher Esteban Hernandez earned the victory, allowing two runs on three hits in 5.1 innings while striking out four. Masters picked up the save with a perfect final inning.
GAME TWO | W, 7-3
- The Prairie Stars jumped ahead in the second inning when Luke Erickson homered to right center, bringing home Chris Suchoski for a 2-0 lead. UIS remained in control until the sixth, when Thomas More plated two runs to cut the deficit to 3-2.
- UIS responded emphatically in the eighth inning with a four-run explosion. Caceres delivered a two-run homer, while Mark Kattula added a two-RBI single, extending the lead to 7-2. Thomas More managed a run in the bottom of the eighth, but UIS closed out the game without further damage.
- UIS collected 13 hits in the contest, led by Kattula, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Pitcher Ben Benoit earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings while striking out six.
UIS begins conference play at home against Lewis next weekend, with a four-game series running from March 7-9 at the UIS Baseball Field.