ELGIN, IL - Prairie State opened Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference play with a split against Elgin on Saturday. 

Freshman Scott Gates led the charge for the Pioneers with a grand slam in Game 1 where the Pioneers won a 9-6 decision. The second game wasn't quite as friendly to the Pioneers who were defeated 11-1 in five innings. 

Prairie State 9, Elgin 6

Gates' grand slam helped the Pioneers to six first-inning runs. Prairie State (2-19, 1-1 ISCC) never relinquished the lead. 

Jimmy Boylan and Chasen Lewis drove in the other two first inning runs. The Pioneers plated another run in the second executing a double steal. Gabe Cortez stole home on the play. 

Gates drove in his fifth run of the game with a single in the sixth inning. Prairie State scored on an error for its ninth run.

Ethen Otstott did enough on the mound to get the win pitching five innings while giving up five runs. Devin Smith picked up his first save of the season pitching two innings of scoreless relief. 

Lewis, Boylan, and Gates each had two hits for Prairie State. 

Elgin 11, Prairie State 1 (5 inn.)

Elgin scored four in the second and five in the third to put the game away early.

The Pioneers managed just five hits in the second game. 

Isaiah Gaines led the squad with two hits. Xavier Deluna, Cortez and Gates had the other Pioneer hits.