SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The No. 11 UIndy softball team (26-8, 10-4 GLVC) ran into a red-hot Illinois Springfield team Saturday, dropping both ends of a doubleheader at the Lincoln Softball Complex in Springfield, Ill. The Prairie Stars (27-10, 14-2), who are receiving votes in the latest NFCA DII poll, have now won seven in a row and 14 of their last 15.
 
GAME 1 | UIS 7, UIndy 1
The opener was relatively quiet offensively through five-and-a-half innings. UIndy starter Lauren Honkomp (9-4) held the Stars the just four hits and one run in the first five frames until the home bats heated up in the sixth.
 
With the score still knotted at 1-1, UIS put up six scores in the game-changing rally, while totaling four hits and forcing two pitching changes.
 
UIndy's lone run came in the third when Brooke Montgomery and Jessie Noone delivered consecutive doubles.
 
GAME 2 | UIS 11, UIndy 8
UIndy struck first in game two, hanging two runs in the top of the second on Cathy Skaggs' sac fly and an RBI double by Julia Liceaga.
 
The Hounds later led 6-4 through the middle of the fifth, thanks in part to a two-run homer by Taylor Danielson. But the Stars managed a five-spot in the bottom half to take the lead for good.
 
UIndy would not go quietly, however. The Hounds pushed two across in the sixth to make it a one-run game, and eventually brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh before failing the score.
 
Noone had two extra-base hits in the final two frames, including a triple in the top of the sixth and a double an inning later.
 
Danielson finished the game 3 for 3 with three runs, three RBIs and a walk. Gianni Iannantone added a pair of doubles and two runs. All told, the Hounds combined for nine extra-base hits in the game, including seven two-baggers.
 
Haylie Foster (9-2) took the loss in the circle, allowing eight runs (six earned) and six hits in 4 1/3 innings.
 
UP NEXT
The upcoming doubleheader at Lewis University has been pushed back 24 hours and also moved to a different venue. With cold temperatures currently in the area, the Flyers have reschedule the games to Monday and relocated them off-campus to "The Dome at the Ballpark" in Rosemont, Ill. Live stats will be available but no video.