No. 19 Prairie Stars Split Series Opener at UMSL

Illinois Springfield baseball team wins game one 16-4, falls 7-6 in extras in game two

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Illinois Springfield baseball team split its first two games of the weekend series at Missouri-St. Louis on Friday, winning the opener 16-4 in seven innings before falling 7-6 in a 10-inning thriller.

Why it matters

The Prairie Stars, ranked No. 19 in the nation, are looking to build momentum heading into conference play. The split result shows the team's offensive firepower but also areas for improvement, especially in close games.

The details

In game one, Illinois Springfield cruised to a 16-4 run-rule victory, powered by three home runs and a 15-hit performance. Tommy Atkinson, Johnny Wendling, and Corey Boyette led the offensive charge. Pitcher Ben Benoit gave the team a strong start, allowing just two earned runs over six innings. In game two, the Prairie Stars' bats were not enough as UMSL rallied for a 7-6 win in 10 innings, despite a late comeback effort capped by Atkinson's two-RBI double in the ninth.

  • The series opener was played on Friday in O'Fallon, Missouri.
  • Game one was a seven-inning contest.
  • Game two went 10 innings.

The players

Illinois Springfield

The No. 19 ranked college baseball team.

Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL)

The opponent for the weekend series.

Johnny Wendling

Illinois Springfield player who had two hits, including a home run, and scored four runs in game one.

Corey Boyette

Illinois Springfield player who had three hits, including a home run and double, in game one.

Tommy Atkinson

Illinois Springfield player who went 3-for-3 with a home run, five RBIs, and three runs scored in game one.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Ben gave us a good start in game one. He kept us in the game and made big pitches, allowing our offense to run away with it. Johnny, Corey and Tommy in particular were putting in professional at-bats all day.”

— Chris Rodriguez, Head Coach (channel1450.com)

“Trey gave us a solid start in game two, and our bullpen made key pitches to keep us close. Offensively, we grinded out tough at-bats early with nothing to show until we finally broke through in the seventh, ninth and 10th innings. We just couldn't finish it in the last inning. Unfortunately, that's how this game can go, but it's also why we love it. Being in those moments is invaluable, and we look to grow from it moving forward.”

— Chris Rodriguez, Head Coach (channel1450.com)

What’s next

The second day of the series, set to be played in Springfield, will feature a single nine-inning game with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch at UIS Baseball Field due to cold temperatures. The originally scheduled fourth game has been postponed.

The takeaway

The split result shows the Prairie Stars' offensive firepower but also areas for improvement, especially in close games. The team will look to build on the positives from game one and learn from the extra-inning loss in game two as they prepare for the next matchup in Springfield.