Springfield, Ill.- The Missouri Southern baseball team hit the road for a four-game series against the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars in a non-conference matchup. In game one, the Lions took control early and would lead 3-1; in the bottom of the seventh, the Prairie Stars traded the lead for the 6-3 win. The Prairie Stars took an early lead in game two, and a solo home run bought the game within a run. Illinois-Springfield responded and held it for the win.
 
Missouri Southern (21-18, 14-12 MIAA) | University of Illinois - Springfield (24-10, 21-10 GLVC)
 
Game One: Missouri Southern 3 | Illinois – Springfield 5
Southern opened the scoring in the first inning with Drew Townsend singling to center field, followed by Nate Mieszkowski doubling to center. Brayden Luikart grounded out to shortstop, allowing Townsend to score, and Jacob Filip contributed with a sacrifice fly, bringing in Mieszkowski for a 2-0 lead.
 
In the fourth inning, the Lions added to their lead when Jacob Filip singled to left field and later scored on a single by Will Potter, increasing the score to 3-0.
 
The Prairie Stars responded in the fifth, pushing the score to 3-1.
 
At the bottom of the seventh, Illinois-Spring added five runs, shifting the momentum and concluding the game with a 6-3 final score.  
 
Drew Townsend recorded two hits, including a double, and was hit by a pitch in four at-bats. Jacob Filip also contributed with two hits, one RBI, and a sacrifice fly, reaching a benchmark of 100 hits. Will Potter secured two hits and an RBI while also stealing a base. The Lions tallied seven hits.
 
Casey Stalzer pitched 4.0 innings, striking out four batters. Kyle Moore entered the game in relief, pitching 2.0 innings, and struck out three.
 
Stats Tracker

• Hits: Drew Townsend (2), Jacob Filip (2), Will Potter (2), Nate Mieszkowski (1)
• RBI: Brayden Luikart (1), Jacob Filip (1), Will Potter (1)
• 2B: Drew Townsend (1); Nate Mieszkowski (1)
• SF: Jacob Filip (1)
• SB: Will Potter (1)
• HBP: Drew Townsend (1), Blake Jones (1)
• Pitching:
  • Casey Stalzer (L, 3–2): 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO
  • Kyle Moore: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO

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Game Two: Missouri Southern 1 | Illinois – Springfield 6
The Prairie Stars took an early lead in their half of the first inning, scoring two runs and leading 2-0 after the first.
 
Blake Jones put Southern on the scoreboard in the second inning with a solo home run to left field, 2-1.
 
Illinois-Springfield added three runs in the third inning and another in the fifth, 6-1, and held on for the win.
 
Blake Jones hit a home run and drove in one run. Brayden Luikart also contributed with a solid offensive outing, recording one hit and one walk. Drew Townsend reached base twice with a hit and a walk, also stealing a base. The Lions tallied five hits.
 
Keaton Anderson started the game, pitching 3.0 innings and struck out five. Trent Harris pitched 1.0 inning without allowing a hit, walking 1. Alex Baker followed, recording 0.2 innings, and Cole White contributed 0.1 innings. Finally, Kyle Kaempf closed the game, pitching 1.0 inning and striking out 1.
 
Stats Tracker

• Hits: Drew Townsend (1), Brayden Luikart (1), Blake Jones (1), Ethan Clark (1), Jake Leeker (1)
• RBI: Blake Jones (1)
• HR: Blake Jones (1)
• SB: Drew Townsend (1)
• Pitching:
  • Keaton Anderson (L, 1–5): 3.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO
  • Trent Harris: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO
  • Alex Baker: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO
  • Cole White: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
  • Kyle Kaempf: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

Up Next:
The Lions will continue Sunday, April 13, when they take on the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars in the final game of the series. First pitch is set for 12:00 PM at UIS Baseball Field.
 
The Missouri Southern baseball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
   
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