Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - Things didn't start off well for Prairie State as Sauk Valley scored nine runs in the first inning of the first game. Sauk Valley went on to win 20-8 in five innings. The Pioneers played better in Game 2, but couldn't hold a late lead in a 9-5 loss in six innings. 

Sauk Valley 20, Prairie State 8 (5 inn.)

A tough first inning doomed the Pioneers in the first game. Sauk Valley put up nine runs making a comeback difficult. Prairie State scored three times in the first after Scott Gates crushed a 3-run double down the left field line but could never get over the hump.

Jimmy Boylan and Chasen Lewis had the other two hits for Prairie State. 

Sauk Valley 9, Prairie State 5 (6 inn.)

The Pioneers took the lead in the second inning pushing across three runs but couldn't hold a late lead.

Catcher Alex Perez drove in the team's first run to tie the game at one in the second inning. Isaac Rivera, who advanced to third on Perez's single, scored on an error as part of a double steal. Martinez, Perez's courtesy runner, ended up scoring the team's third run on a wild pitch.

Prairie State (0-6) scored two more in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. Lewis singled home the team's fourth run. He and Leo Romero executed a double steal with Lewis nabbing second and Romero stealing home. 

However, Sauk Valley came roaring back with two in the fifth and five in the sixth. The Pioneers were unable to come back in the bottom half of the sixth inning before the game was called due to darkness. 

Pitcher Ethen Otstott threw 5.1 innings giving up four earned runs.

The Pioneers will play Sauk Valley two more times on Sunday before beginning its Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference slate against Moraine Valley next week.