UIS baseball opened the GLVC Tournament with one of the most explosive offensive performances in conference tournament history before its postseason stay at Mountain Dew Park came to an end Wednesday night.
UIS softball opened play at the GLVC Tournament on Wednesday with an 11-4 loss to McKendree at the EastSide Centre.
The Prairie Stars totaled 11 hits and built an early four-run lead, but McKendree (41-12) answered with a six-run third inning before adding five more runs in the sixth to secure the win in the double-elimination tournament opener.
Illinois Springfield softball earned three All-GLVC selections for the 2026 season, led by senior Rosie Bartletti, who received First Team honors as a pitcher/utility player and Second Team recognition as a pitcher. Sophomore Bailey Masching was also named Second Team All-GLVC as a utility non-pitcher.
Bartletti collected all-conference honors for the second consecutive season as one of the league's top two-way players. The Springfield native led UIS both in the circle and at the plate, helping guide the Prairie Stars to a postseason appearance.
Elaine Grant of Illinois Springfield delivered a clutch performance at the NCAA Division II East Regional, finishing tied for second overall and punching her ticket to the NCAA Championship for the second time in her career.
Grant opened the tournament strong on Monday at Findlay Country Club, carding rounds of 76 and 75 to sit comfortably inside the top five heading into the final round. Despite challenging conditions throughout the event, she remained steady and positioned herself among the regional leaders through 36 holes.
It was announced by the Great Lakes Valley Conference on Tuesday evening that six Illinois Springfield baseball players were named to All-Conference teams, including First Team selections Tommy Atkinson, Corey Boyette, and Kaden Griffitts, Second Team honorees Graham Kasey and Isaac Graf, and honorable mention pitcher Mark DeCicco.
Pablo Herrera put together an outstanding April to earn UIS Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month honors. He becomes the first UIS tennis player to receive the award in its three-year history.
Competing at No. 1 singles, Herrera went 5-2 on the month to close the season with an impressive 14-4 overall record. His performance included a ranked win over the No. 15 player in the nation, highlighting his ability to compete at the highest level.
All eyes are on Prairie Stars postseason competition this week!
UIS baseball opens play in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Wednesday morning, facing No. 8 seed Rockhurst at 9:00 a.m. at Mountain Dew Park. in Marion, Ill.
The Prairie Stars (33-17, 21-11 GLVC) enter as the No. 5 seed under a new tournament format. The top four seeds receive first-round byes, while seeds 5-8 meet in single-elimination games to open the event.
Illinois Springfield senior Elaine Grant is tied for fourth place after two rounds at the NCAA Division II Women's Golf East Regional on Monday.
Competing as an individual, Grant posted rounds of 76 and 75 for a 36-hole total of 151, placing her in a three-way tie for fourth in the field. Monday's play was adjusted to 36 holes, and Grant delivered steady results across both rounds.
UIS softball opens the GLVC Tournament on Wednesday afternoon, entering as the No. 6 seed in a double-elimination field against No. 3 McKendree at 1:00 p.m. at EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill.
The tournament has been held at EastSide Centre for the 22nd consecutive year, with the Prairie Stars making their 11th appearance in the GLVC postseason. The top eight teams by conference winning percentage earned spots in the bracket.