KIRKSVILLE, Mo.--The Truman Baseball team returned home Friday, opening up a four game set with Illinois Springfield. The Bulldogs got a solid start from Connor McKenna, who went six innings and allowed just three runs, leaving with a 5-3 lead. But the tables turned with an offensive explosion from UIS, who went on to win 23-5. Rece Finck (1-0) got the win while Alex Leary (0-1) took the loss.

After a 1-2-3 top of the first, Truman came out swinging in the bottom of the frame. Brennan Perkins got a leadoff single, then Kolin Demel was hit by a pitch. With two on and nobody out, Will Fromm executed a sac bunt to put two in scoring position. Reid Wilson doubled to right, bringing both in to score. Evan Kayser followed with a single to left to bring Wilson in.

Two solo shots by UIS in the top of the second made it 3-2 Bulldogs, but Truman would answer. Brendan Kelly got into one and took it for a ride to left to get his first hit of the year. Perkins followed with a fielder's choice which UIS starter Blake Begner fielded and hesitated on his first instinct to throw to third but pulled it back and threw to first but it allowed Perkins to reach. Perkins later stole second, and with two outs Wilson got his third RBI of the game to bring Kelly in. Kayser followed with a double to bring Perkins in. After two it was 5-2 Bulldogs.

UIS got one run back in the top of the fifth, but Truman continued to lead 5-3. McKenna threw six innings, striking out seven batters and allowing just three runs on five hits. But in the seventh, the UIS offense simply jumped all over the Bulldogs.

The teams will be back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader at Bulldog Baseball Park, starting at noon.