SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— Drury's run in the NCAA-II Midwest Regional tournament came to an end as second-seeded Illinois Springfield hit four home runs on their way to an 11-5 win over the seventh-seeded Panthers on Saturday at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. The win clinched a trip to the Super Regional next weekend for the Prairie Stars who raised their record to 40-15-1 while Drury ended their season 32-25.
 
Illinois Springfield built an early lead scoring three times in the top of the first getting a two-run home run from Chris Monroe, followed by a solo shot from Zach Speaker. The Prairie Stars opened up a 7-0 lead scoring four times in the fifth inning highlighted by a three-run homer Chris Mathieu.
 
Drury threatened in the bottom of fifth as Clayton Engel's double drove in a pair of runs and Jackson Dierenfeldt's bases-loaded walk pulled the Panthers within four. With the bases still loaded and two outs, Brandt Ollinger belted a pitch deep to left field that was caught on the warning track to end the inning and the Drury threat.
 
Clayton Engel went 2 for 3 at the plate for the Panthers with a double and three runs batted in while Kaden Helsel went 2 for 5 with a double, and a run scored.
 
Panthers starter Collin Fraley (3-3) took the loss while Trent Sidwell (1-1) picked up the win in relief for the Prairie Stars.
 
"I'm extremely proud of the guys," said Drury head coach Scott Nasby. "They fought their tales off. This weekend was pretty special to me and probably to all of the guys on this team considering how down you can be after Thursday night. But then you see this group band together and really get after it on Friday to get us four games into the tournament is something special...it's tough to say good-bye to the seniors we have, but it's a proud feeling and not a sad feeling."
 
Drury's trip to the NCAA-II tournament was their sixth appearance in the 13-year history of the program. The Panthers graduate eight players from their roster while eight starting position players and four starting pitchers will be slated to return in 2020.
 
 
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