SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Flyers lost a close game 8-7 against Illinois Springfield on Friday afternoon (March 7) marking their first conference loss of the season. 

TEAM RECORDS
Illinois Springfield 6-5, 1-0 GLVC | Lewis 5-4, 0-1 GLVC

SUMMARY
McDevitt would act as the Flyers' first base runner of the day after being hit by a pitch. Bilecki reached first on an error, which allowed McDevitt to advance home, putting the Flyers up 1-0. 

The second inning was once again led off by a hit by a pitch, this time sending Russell to first. Phommachanhom walked followed by a McDevitt single to load the bases.

Kocen hammered a ball to deep left field for a grand slam to put Lewis up 5-0. The Prairie Stars got their first run of the game in the bottom of the third making it 5-1.

That would carry for another four runs as Illinois Springfield would tie the game in the same inning with a few base hits and RBIs. With the game tied at five, The Flyers put another run on the board thanks to a Bilecki pop fly which would made Phommachanhom cross home. 

Illinois Springfield took the lead outright with three runs in the fourth, making it an 8-6 game.  Kocen would step back into the batter's box and slam another homer to breathe some life back into Lewis with a score of 8-7.

The Flyers failed to get any more runs throughout in the top of the ninth and the remainder of the game. The Praire Stars would take game one of the four game weekend series. 

UP NEXT
Lewis takes on the Praire Stars again tomorrow in a doubleheader starting at noon. 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Be sure to join us Wednesday, March 26 as we induct our newest members of the Athletics Hall of Fame at the Flyer Red Dinner at Bolingbrook Golf Club starting at 6 p.m. CT. Purchase tickets at https://lewisflyers.com/2025FlyerRedDinner

FLYERS ANNUAL FUND
Support the Flyers by making a gift to the Flyers Athletics Fund at https://lewisflyers.com/202425AnnualFund