The UIS baseball team will host Rockhurst in its final home series of the regular season this week, with an adjusted schedule due to forecasted weather. The Prairie Stars and Hawks will now play doubleheaders at 12:00 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday at the UIS Baseball Field. Senior Day recognition will take place following the conclusion of Friday's second game.
Illinois Springfield (24-11, 14-5 GLVC)
UIS heads into the final home series having won 10 straight GLVC games and sitting near the top of the conference standings. Last week, the Prairie Stars won three of four non-conference games against Missouri Southern, picking up 5-3, 6-3, and 6-1 victories before narrowly falling 13-12 in the series finale. That loss ended a 15-game winning streak for UIS, but the team still secured the series win.
Mark Kattula had a strong series, going 7-for-15 (.467) with a .556 on-base percentage. Ethan Bowers contributed a 6-for-17 performance that included a triple, two home runs, and five RBIs—highlighted by a walk-off grand slam in game two. Ivan Dahlberg also had a standout weekend with three home runs, including two in back-to-back innings.
Kattula remains the team's most consistent hitter, boasting a .396 average. He ranks No. 2 in the GLVC in total hits, No. 7 in batting average, and No. 9 in doubles. Bowers follows at .346.
The Prairie Stars have recorded GLVC series wins against UMSL, Lincoln, and Upper Iowa, and split with Lewis. Their only conference series loss came in a weather-shortened set against Indianapolis.
On the mound, Mark DeCicco continues to lead the GLVC with a 3.05 ERA and ranks second in the conference with a .201 opposing batting average. Out of the bullpen, Kannon Walker is tied for second in the league with six wins, and Seth Masters leads the GLVC with six saves.
Rockhurst (19-16, 9-11 GLVC)
Rockhurst enters the weekend after taking three of four from UMSL on the road. The Hawks opened the series with a 9-4 win, split Saturday's games with an 8-2 win followed by a 14-4 loss, and closed with a 14-10 victory in a high-scoring Sunday contest.
Michael Laudando starred in the series, going 8-for-15 with a double and nine RBIs, including a 4-for-5 performance in the finale. On the season, Adonis Forte leads the Hawks with a .378 batting average and 42 hits. Laudando is close behind at .352 with 44 hits. Drew Cornelison leads the team with nine home runs.
On the mound, Jake Canent leads Rockhurst with a 5.36 ERA, owning a 4-2 record over eight starts. Laudando is 5-2 in nine starts with 42 strikeouts and a 5.98 ERA. Brendan Rodis has been effective out of the bullpen and also made a notable start at Maryville two weeks ago, striking out eight in a seven-inning outing.
Rockhurst holds a narrow 18-16 lead in the all-time series against UIS, dating back to 2012.
Follow Along
All games will be streamed live on the GLVC Sports Network, with live statistics also available online. The Senior Day ceremony on Friday will be streamed following the final game.
Promotions on Friday
Senior Day: UIS Baseball will honor its 21 seniors after the final home game, celebrating the contributions of a group that has left a lasting legacy on the program.
BoS Day: UIS Athletics celebrates BoS Day at the UIS Baseball Field! The Bank of Springfield, a long-time supporter of UIS Baseball, will be on-site with a special giveaway prize for one lucky attendee. Don't miss it!