Struggling softball drops double-header

By Jason Stuebe - Sports Editor

The Prairie Stars softball team lost both their games in a double header against the Quincy University Hawks, 11-0 and 4-2 last Saturday dropping their season record to 6-31 (0-8).

There was nothing more to say than the Stars simply flat out struggled in game one, from the pitching staff to defense to the bats.

Senior Katie Kuschell, who pitched all five innings, notched the loss giving up fourteen hits.

The Stars squeaked by the first inning and Kuschell got herself out of a corner when she struck out Quincy's Sarah Venvertloh after a hit, a walk, and a hit batter loaded the bases.

The Stars would not be as fortunate for the remainder of the game, especially in the fourth and fifth innings.

Down but not entirely out, the Stars all but dropped from contention in a devastating parade of hits and runs in the top of the fifth which saw five runs scored on three hits and one error.

“Kuschell never really recovered after getting rattled in the first inning, and that happened to us as a whole” said Head Coach Joe Fisher “They (Quincy) found the gaps and it adds up in a hurry.”

“On the flipside though, we're competing with a different strike zone depending who's up to bat and who's pitching which threw our pitcher and batters off,” Fisher continued showing his frustration with the officiating that admittedly was less than stellar.

“Nevertheless, we can't worry about the things we can't control and that's what we did in game one.”

The Stars came out in game two however and got on the board early scoring in the first and third innings to take a 2-0 lead.

Senior Kayla Moss hit a lead-off single in the first and was driven in by a Candice Welch double to left field in the first inning.

It was once again Moss who scored in the third after advancing to second on a sac-bunt by Angela Becker, and then to home when Christie Wantland singled to left field.

The Stars appeared to be in the driver's seat for much of the game with freshman Allie Leight on the mound, who up until the fifth inning had given up only 3 runs.

That was when the wheels fell off the apple cart.

Quincy blasted UIS with four runs off of four hits in the top of the fifth to take the lead and the wind out of UIS' sails.

“You know, we were sitting there six outs from the win, then we got them on first and third with one out, five outs from the win, and then we didn't get the next out. We knocked it down but didn't field it clean,” said Fisher

UIS came up short in the rally attempt failing to capitalize on a scoring opportunity in the sixth that left Katie McBride and Rebekah Bandy on base as a Grazia Silvestro fly out to center field ended the inning.

“It was a mental let down for sure, I told the girls we played a fantastic five innings,” said Fisher.

The Stars were led offensively by Kayla Moss who went 4 for 6 on the day, Bandy who went 2 for 5 and the tandem of Welch and Wantland who both notched a ribbie apiece.

The Stars will once again look to improve at home next Tuesday, April 18 against conference rival Columbia . First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Roy Gilmore named new women's basketball coach

By Jason Stuebe - Sports Editor

Well, that didn't take long.

It only took a week and a half before UIS Assistant Athletics Director Paul MacDonna realized he had his man to fill the women's basketball coaching vacancy created when Wanda Nettles' contract wasn't extended.

Roy Gilmore, a mild-mannered yet highly competitive and driven man was announced as the next head coach of the struggling women's program in a press release issued last Friday.

Gilmore comes to UIS from Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) in St. Louis where he served as the Assistant Coach. While there, Gilmore helped lead the USA Today #3 ranked Red Knights to a third-place state finish in Missouri 's Class 5 division. The Red Knights were also ranked #1 in the state of Missouri and #1 in the St. Louis metro area.

Prior to his tenure at IWA, Gilmore served as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach for four years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Gilmore helped guide the cougars to the 2000 NCAA Tournament and assisted in wracking up a 60-52 overall record. While at SIUE Gilmore worked on recruiting, on-floor player development, pre-season and post-season workouts, on-court coaching and game scheduling.

Such experience will be needed to breathe new life iyento a once floundering program that completed the 2004-2005 schedule with only a 7-22 showing.

“He certainly has the credentials to be coaching at this level,” said MacDonna.

Gilmore has received a one year contract and will technically be serving on an interim-basis because of the absence of a permanent athletic director.

“It's wouldn't have been fair for me to bring in a permanent coach while we are looking for a permanent A.D.,” said MacDonna “he understands that.”

Gilmore will also be serving as the Assistant Sports Information Director.

Only three days into his contract, Gilmore has taken the program by the horns settling in and even brining in two recruits onto campus last week.

“It's going to be hard work, getting out there recruiting and brining in the right girls and I'm looking forward to it,” said Gilmore.

When it comes to recruiting for a program that as of yet has only four returning players, Gilmore will be tracing back to his roots in Chicago but was adamant about recruiting from all over.

“There's a lot of talented kids all over this state that get overlooked, you just have to get out there and find them.”

Of the utmost importance to Gilmore is academics.

“We will do well in the class room, we're going to recruit athletes who are willing to sacrifice. We're going to turn over the stigma that has been created and I won't settle for less.”

When it comes to how the team will look on the floor, Gilmore is quick to point out that team work will be essential. “The ones who can play as a unit are the ones who are going to be on the floor.”

When asked about his goals and predictions for the year Gilmore could only predict one thing: hard work.

“We will work hard. The coaches, the players, the athletics staff, all of us are going to work hard.

“The wins and losses will come but you will not see a team that doesn't work hard. We're going to play all out because I think that's the only way basketball should be played, all out.”

#24 Stars muscle past McKendree 6-3

By Jason Stuebe - Sports Editor

A week after showing that they had hit their stride with a win over then regional number one William Jewel, the Prairie Stars women's tennis squad continued showing their supremacy with a hard-fought 6-3 win over rival McKendree.

Playing at the UIS courts for the first time this season, the UIS women fed off the atmosphere generated by a large student turnout thanks to a friendly cookout and swept the doubles competition 3-0 and never looked back.

Doubles partners Georgina Wulfers/Jennifer Cloyd; Christine Tabayoyong/Jennifer Poss; Erin Sibley/Jennifer Gebben all handily defeated McKendree in their matches 8-3, 8-4 and 8-4 respectively.

Wulfers went on to lead the charge in singles competition easily defeating McKendree in the one spot going 6-1, 6-0.

“She messed up a lot,” said Wulfers, “I think they stacked the draw a little bit and that hurt them in the long run. I just kept it in play and then she would go wild.

“I like to keep my wildness off the court.”

While Wulfers had an easy run of it getting past her opponent, Poss was forced into three sets on a bum right knee before ultimately pulling out the win in #3 singles earning this sports editor's One Tough Cookie award for the day.

Breezing through the first set 6-2, Poss was on the verge of calling it an early day with victory in tow. Her McKendree opponent however had other plans.

“I wasn't trying to run on it (Poss' knee) too much,” said Poss “then she started running me around in the second set which started to concern me a little.”

Poss wound up loosing the second set 4-6.

Then Poss dug in and came up big in the third set with another 6-2 performance that won the entire match for UIS.

“I just realized that the team needed me and I needed to suck it up.”

In other singles action, Cloyd won her match in two sets while Sibley lost in a tough three set bout and Gebben dropped her match in two.

The Stars are now preparing for the home stretch before tournament time with a number one regional and #24 national rankings in tow.

“The conditioning that (assistant coach) Czwan has put them through has proven to be really helpful in keeping the girls healthy and prepared to deal with tough play.”

Aside from Poss' knee problems, Tabayoyong has been battling shin splints as of late.

It doesn't seem to mind the Stars all that much though as they are seemingly ready for regional rival William Jewel once more in just a few short weeks at the regional tournament to be held at Washington Park .

“We're looking good right now, we've got some things to work on and we know we have a target on our back, but we're prepared for it,” said Poss.

The Stars are tentatively looking to play a practice match against Lakeland Community College next Friday at Washington Park .

The next scheduled match for UIS will be against Evangel at Washington Park on April 23.

UIUC, UIS Wheelies compete in 8 th Annual Wheelchair BBall game

By Mark Brockett - Sports Reporter

In conjunction with Disability Awareness Week on April 8, 2005, the UIS Wheelies played host to the Illinois Fighting Illini wheelchair basketball team in the 8 th Annual Wheel Chair Basketball game. The event was sponsored by the office of Disability Services. In a battle of who can top this, the UIS Wheelies dropped a heartbreaker to the Fighting Illini 84-82. The UIS team was spotted 20 points at the beginning of both halves and each 2 point basket was worth 4 along with 3 pointers being worth 9 points. The Wheelies had a chance to win it with six seconds left in the contest, but three year veteran Brad Ward's pass was derailed just enough to not allow a good look at the basket and the shot was errant. The event was a pleasure and joy for all of those involved and the attendance was just as the participants expected.

A couple of minutes to think

By Mark Brockett - Sports Reporter

With the weather heating up and the beauty of spring evident in front of us, I feel inspired to write about not just one thing this week, yet a few topics that have been on my mind as of late.

DA BULLS: I'll admit it. I didn't see this as a possibility at the beginning of the season let alone at the All Star break. It just seemed so surreal. This team, the youngest team in the NBA, has the third best record in the Eastern Conference at press time and has clinched a spot in this year's playoffs for the first time since 1998. And folks, this team won't be one and done in the playoffs this season. While experts may say that the longevity of the 82 game season will take its toll on these ‘Baby Bulls', they have proved the doubters wrong thus far. Losing rookie swing man Luol Deng for the season will hurt them defensively, especially if they play against Shaq and the Miami Heat. But, they have set the ground work for what could be another successful run in the National Basketball League. While it is way too early to say if the successes will match those of the Michael Jordan era, but the future of this team, for the first time in a long time, looks bright.

THE MASTERS: Well, Tiger Woods finally broke out of his slump in major competitions by winning this years Masters Golf tournament. It was a fitting end this year much like last year as Tiger had to fend off the unflappable Chris DiMarco in the first playoff hole. While Tiger had us all feeling warm thoughts by dedicating his victory to his ailing father Earl, I couldn't get passed the remarkable performance from DiMarco by not backing down to Golf's biggest icon. This Masters tournament could be a sign of things to come regarding how the field will deal with the media hype and popularity of Tiger Woods. In other words, the intimidation factor may soon be fading away.

PLAY BALL! : Yes, Baseball season is under way and every fan of every team still has a shot to win the whole thing. It is interesting to see who is where at the beginning of the season as compared to the end of the season. The Cubbies look like a brand new team with a better team concept this year as compared to last. However, it doesn't guarantee more wins and doesn't assure the health of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. The Cardinals still have the core to return to the playoffs this year but the starting pitching will have to pitch equally as well as last season to ensure that goal. And, don't forget about those White Sox! They have the mentality known as ‘Ozzie Ball' where small ball leads to big results. Can this team keep it together for a full season as opposed to phoning it in come August? Only time will tell for them and the other two teams that are beloved by so many of us in Illinois .

That's it for this week folks. In closing I'd like to say how proud I am of fellow Joliet Township graduate and soon to be UIUC grad Roger Powell Jr. from the Illini basketball team. Roger inspires so many on the court with his play and off the court by volunteering and serving in his home church in Joliet , IL . Thank you for the memories Roger. Take care and thanks for reading.

Campus Recreational Sports Briefs

The recreational facilities will only be open for Informal Open Recreation this Saturday, April 16 from 10am-Noon due to the Springfest activities.

The Intramural Tennis Doubles Tournament will be played at the UIS Tennis Courts this Sunday, April 17 starting at 2:30pm. Check the bulletin board outside the Fitness Center or the website for the tournament schedule and when your team plays.

The UIS Spring Miler's Club ends Sunday, April 24. All exercise slips need to be turned into the CRS Office by 11pm Monday, April 25 in order for the mileage to be counted toward your goal.

Rec Center Membership for the Spring and Spring Midyear terms expire Sunday, May 8. Beginning Monday, May 9, Summer Term memberships will be required for participants to use the UIS campus recreational facilities. Students who are registered for the Summer Term 2005 and who are assessed the Activity Fee and the Recreational Gym Facility Fee will have valid i-cards and thus be automatic members of the Rec Center . (Degree-seeking on-line students are the exception and must purchase a membership in order to use the facilities.) Faculty and staff employees will need to purchase or renew their membership. Application for Summer membership renewal may begin the week of May 2. Summer term membership begins Monday, May 9 and runs through July 31, 2005. The Summer term membership fee is $26 for an adult and $21 for youth (14-17 yrs). Additional information is available on the website or is posted in the Rec Center .

Spring Locker Rental also expires on Sunday, May 8. If you will not be renewing for the summer term, please remove your locker contents before the deadline date.

The Lost & Found boxes in the Campus Recreational Sports Office are overflowing! Have you lost an article of clothing, jewelry, books, shoes, glasses, etc. in any of the recreational facilities (Gym, Fitness Center , Tennis Courts, outdoor fields)? If so, you might want to check us out. Chances are good we may have found it for you. Any items not claimed in the Lost & Found by Friday, May 6 will be discarded or given to Goodwill.

Golfers and duffers alike!  Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 14, 2005.  It's time for the annual 4 ball scramble Summer Golf Outing at Edgewood Golf Club with an 8:00 am modified shotgun start.  Watch for more details coming in late May.

Snapshots

Men's Tennis

Greenville Tournament ( Greenville , IL )

Scores not available as of press time! Sorry!

UIS vs. Quincy ( Washington Park )

The UIS men continued their hot streak and cemented themselves as the comeback team of the year as they defeated Quincy University 7-2 last Sunday.

The Stars were led by #36 Alim Mambetov who soundly defeated Quincy 's Scott Radecki 6-1, 6-2 in singles competition. Also winning their singles matches were Bladimir Hernandez, Esteban Czwan, Maricio Lora and Gerard Sabb.

In doubles competition, the #20 tandem of Mambetov/Czwan defeated Radecki/Mike Fenwick 8-5 while the duo of Lora/Sabb also won their doubles match 8-5.

Women's Softball

UIS vs. Harris Stowe ( St. Louis , MO )

The Stars dropped a double header to first year program Harris Stowe losing 3-1 and 10-3 respectively.

Katie Kuschell got the loss giving up eight hits in game one while the Stars defense committed three errors.

The game was tied at one when the Hornets scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the victory.

Game two saw pitcher Allie Leight give up 15 hits and 10 runs en route to the loss.

Candice Welch and Rebekah Bandy led the team offensively, with Welch earning two RBI's and Bandy going two for two with a single RBI.

UIS vs. SIUE ( Edwardsville , IL )

The Stars continued their road show on a soggy day against the Cougars of SIUE dropping both games 8-0 and 9-1.

SIUE silenced the UIS offense allowing only one hit, by senior Kayla Moss in game one.

Game two went pretty much the same way though the Stars did get four hits, one by moss, two by Katie McBride and one by Bandy.

UIS vs. Lindenwood ( St. Charles , MO )

UIS wrapped up their three day tour of greater St. Louis area splitting games against Lindenwood losing 1-0 in game one and winning 1-0 game two.

Even though Kuschell gave up eight hits as compared to three by the Stars, the Prairie Stars offense was able to get the lone run scored when a Bandy double turned into a Grazia Silvestro sac-bunt that drove Bandy home, up and over the catcher in the fifth inning.

Correction!

We dropped the ball, the caption under the photo in last week's Sports section erroneously identified the pitcher as Allie Leight, it was in fact none other that everyone's favorite California Girl, Katie Kuschell we're sorry.

Upcoming Games

Wednesday, April 13

Men's Tennis vs. Knox College

Washington Park 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 19

Women's Softball vs. Columbia

UIS Athletics West 2:00 p.m.

Struggling softball drops double-header

Roy Gilmore named new women's basketball coach

#24 Stars muscle past McKendree 6-3

UIUC, UIS Wheelies compete in 8 th Annual Wheelchair BBall game

A couple of minutes to think

Campus Rec Sport Briefs

Snapshots