As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the Prairie Stars' Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one student-athlete, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.
As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.
The Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars wrapped up the Findlay Spring Invite at Boone's Trace National Golf Club with a solid team effort, finishing 9th out of 15 teams in a competitive field. Round three was ultimately canceled due to weather, so all team scoring concluded after the second round, while individual players like Erin Ahmadfadzir finished their third round on Monday.
Sophomore pitcher Calista Stahlhut has been named the UIS Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month for February 2026 after a dominant stretch in the circle for the Prairie Stars.
Stahlhut went 5-0 across 7 appearances in February, pitching 37.1 innings with a 0.72 ERA while allowing just three earned runs on 20 hits. She struck out 36 batters and issued only 12 walks, recording four complete games during the stretch.
Home baseball and softball all weekend highlight the new week!
Monday, March 16
All Day – Women's Golf at Findlay Spring Invite
The Prairie Stars wrap up the invitational in Richmond, Ky. UIS started off 11th of 15 teams through two rounds on Sunday, with Elaine Grant tied for 15th.
Friday, March 20
2:00 p.m. – Baseball vs. Drury (HOME)
The Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars sit 11th out of 15 teams through part of the second round at the Findlay Spring Invite, hosted at Boone's Trace National Golf Club. The team completed round two, though some other squads had yet to finish as play was paused due to darkness.
The Illinois Springfield women's golf team returns to action Sunday and Monday at the Findlay Spring Invite at Boone's Trace National Golf Club in Richmond, Ky. The tournament features 14 teams, including several GLVC programs and top-ranked opponents, and will be contested over three rounds across the two days.
The Prairie Stars will meet conference rivals Maryville, Lewis, and No. 32 UMSL, while host Findlay enters the event ranked No. 4 nationally. Grand Valley State is also in the field, ranked No. 10.
The UIS baseball team (15-6, 4-0 GLVC) completed a series sweep of William Jewell (4-15, 0-4 GLVC) with a pair of decisive victories in Saturday's doubleheader, winning 9-1 in the seven-inning opener before closing the series with a 15-5 run-rule victory in eight innings.
GAME THREE | W, 9-1
The Illinois Springfield softball team (19-7, 3-1) earned a pair of wins at Quincy on Saturday, defeating the Hawks 6-2 in the opener before securing a 10-3 victory in the second game of the doubleheader. The Prairie Stars capitalized on Quincy's defensive mistakes and put together strong pitching performances in both contests.
"The team did an awesome job going over to Quincy and getting the sweep," said head coach Shannon Guthrie. "They came out ready and played hard in both games to get two big conference wins."
The No.-25-ranked Prairie Stars (13-6, 2-0) opened Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a doubleheader sweep at William Jewell (4-12, 0-2) on Friday in Liberty, Mo. UIS combined a highly productive offense with solid pitching, scoring in double digits in both games and hitting four home runs on the day.
GAME ONE | W, 15-3