ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T held an early lead over fifth-ranked Illinois Springfield Wednesday afternoon at the S&T Ballpark, but once the Prairie Stars got the lead back, they continued adding on to their advantage in an eventual 17-4 decision over the Miners.

After UIS (37-4) – who won its 29^th consecutive game Wednesday – put a run on the board in the first, S&T (18-22) scored three times in the bottom half of the second to take the lead.   With one out, Zach Bracken (Berthoud, CO/Berthoud) singled and Kaleb Reid (Smithville, MO/Smithville) drew a walk, then Nathan Volkmann (Liberty, MO/Liberty) ripped a double over the head of centerfielder Jack Schaff to score both runners and put the Miners in front.

Volkmann's double was followed by a double to the fence off the bat of Justus Nelson (Plymouth, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong) that gave the Miners a 3-1 lead heading into the third.

The Miners were on the cusp of keeping that lead through the top half of the third, but an error with two outs kept the inning alive and UIS took advantage by scoring four times, taking the lead on Ben Schanding's bloop single into left center that plated two runs.

From there, UIS scored two in the fourth and fifth innings, three in the seventh and five more in the eighth.

S&T got its only other run in the contest in the fifth when Matt Knickerbocker (Bayfield, CO/Bayfield) drew a two-out walk and following a hit by Bracken, came in to score on an opposite field single by Reid.

UIS outhit the Miners 18-8; Bracken, Volkmann and Nelson had two hits apiece for S&T.  Stuart Martin (Ajax, ON/Ajax), who entered the game in relief of starter Anthony Garza (Belleviille, IL/Belleville East) in the third, took the loss on the mound.

Missouri S&T will wrap up its home schedule this weekend when its hosts Missouri-St. Louis in a four-game series at the S&T Ballpark.  The Miners and Tritons – who are separated by one game in the GLVC West Division standings – will play noon doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, with the S&T seniors being honored prior to the start of Saturday's twinbill.