(LEBANON, Ill., April 12)—The McKendree University baseball team was defeated by the University of Illinois Springfield Friday in the first game of a three-game, Great Lakes Valley Conference series at Hypes Field, 10-0.
 
The visiting Prairie Stars built a 4-0 lead in the third inning before adding six insurance runs in their final at-bat to seal the victory. McKendree – now 9-24 overall and 6-16 in the GLVC – will host UIS again on Saturday in a doubleheader that has been moved up to an 11 a.m. first pitch.
 
Illinois Springfield (22-11-1, 13-9 GLVC) used a pair of two-run homers in the top of the third inning to take a 4-0 lead that was threatened by McKendree in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore catcher Connor McCormick (Manteno, IL/Manteno) led off the frame with a double before freshman outfielder Hayden Schaefer (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) drew a walk. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, junior infielder Bryce Emery (Harrisburg, IL/Harrisburg) worked another walk to load the bases. UIS reliever Brayden Jensen came on and induced an inning-ending double play grounder to end the threat. The Prairie Stars then added their insurance tallies in the seventh to seal the win.
 
Junior right-hander Jared Timmerman (New Baden, IL/Wesclin)n was nicked for the loss. In five innings of work, Timmermann scattered four hits and allowed four earned runs. He fanned three UIS batters in the contest.