Holdren’s grand slam lifts Panthers past Illinois Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Brandon Holden hit a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to break a 6-6 tie and give the Drury Panthers a 10-6 win over Illinois Springfield at Mark Worley Field at Meador Park on Friday.
 
Drury won their fourth straight game and improved to 18-14 and 16-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Prairie Stars fell to 19-15 and 10-11 in the GLVC.
 
The Panthers had a 6-3 through four innings, but Illinois Springfield scored a run in the sixth, then two in the top of the eighth and tied the game when Johnny Wendling scored from third base on a wild pitch.
 
Drury started their half of the eighth with back-to-back walks from Connor Bain and Luke Burk, then Wes Collins loaded the bases with a single. Holdren followed and belted his sixth home run of the season, sending the ball over the right-center field fence.
 
Bain went 3 for 4 in the game with three runs, two RBIs and two stolen bases. Holdren finished the game with 5 RBIs as, in addition to his grand slam, he drove in a run with a ground ball in the first inning.
 
JD Whitter (1-2) got the win in relief, while Adam Wibbenmeyer also came out of the bullpen (1-2) took the loss. 
 
TJ Yakimisky went 4 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs to lead the Prairie Stars at the plate.
 
The series continues on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 pm at Mark Worley Field at Meador Park.
 
 
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