The Illinois Springfield softball team split a doubleheader against Southwest Baptist on Saturday, securing a 7-6 victory in game one before falling 9-5 in game two. With the results, UIS moves to 15-10 overall and 3-3 in GLVC play, while SBU stands at 11-13 and 5-1 in the conference.
GAME ONE | W, 7-6
- Starting pitcher Rosie Bartletti retired the first six batters in order before allowing two hits in the third inning, one of which was an RBI single that put Southwest Baptist on the board.
- Bartletti then led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, setting the stage for UIS to respond. Nyla Cooper reached on an error, allowing Bartletti to score, and Adi Rumler followed by reaching on another miscue, bringing Cooper home to give UIS a 2-1 lead.
- The Prairie Stars extended their lead in the fifth, capitalizing on a series of defensive miscues. Bartletti's RBI single brought in Taylor Zawacki, and after an error on the play, she was able to circle the bases and score as well. Cooper then delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 5-1.
- SBU answered with a solo home run in the bottom half, but UIS tacked on two more in the sixth behind an RBI double from Bartletti and a groundout by Sophie Rivera that scored another.
- The Bearcats made a late push, scoring twice in the sixth and adding a two-run homer in the seventh, but UIS held on to secure the 7-6 victory.
- Bartletti went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Isabella Wilson and Malia Bender each had a pair of hits.
- UIS jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning, starting with a bases-loaded walk from Isabella Wilson, followed by a sacrifice fly by Taylor Zawacki, and an RBI single from Malia Bender.
- SBU responded with two runs in the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-2.
- Zawacki doubled home another UIS run in the fifth, but the Bearcats surged ahead with a four-run bottom half, including a three-run homer.
- Adi Rumler pulled UIS within one in the sixth with an RBI single, but SBU answered with three more runs in the bottom half, taking advantage of errors to pull away for the 9-5 win.
- Malia Bender went 2-for-4 at the plate, while five other Prairie Stars each recorded one hit.
UIS will travel to Kansas City to play Rockhurst on Sunday.