The Illinois Springfield softball team picked up a pair of wins against Missouri-St. Louis on Friday, taking the first game 3-2 and then prevailing 6-4 in nine innings. UIS improves to 21-12 overall and 9-5 in GLVC play, while UMSL drops to 11-16 overall and 4-8 in the conference.
GAME ONE | W, 3-2
- UMSL allowed a walk, a single, a sacrifice bunt, and a stolen base in the opening inning, but UIS managed just one run as the Tritons limited the damage.
- UMSL collected two hits in the bottom of the first, but the third batter struck out swinging, and another Triton was thrown out attempting to steal by catcher Koral Keehner.
- Taylor Zawacki and Ella Brinkley hit consecutive singles in the third, but Zawacki was called out at second due to interference on Brinkley's hit. Brinkley then stole second and advanced to third on a Malia Bender single before scoring on a Keehner groundout. Isabella Wilson followed with an RBI single to plate Bender and put UIS up 3-0.
- Rosie Bartletti continued to keep UMSL in check, recording two strikeouts in the bottom of the third, but the Tritons responded with two runs on three hits in the fourth to trim the deficit to 3-2.
- The score held steady for the final three innings, with no hits from either team. Bartletti (10-5) went the distance for the win, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out four.
- Wilson went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, while Brinkley finished 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- The second game of the day was a thriller that stretched to nine innings.
- UMSL struck first with an RBI single in the first inning, and the early frames moved quickly. The Tritons extended their lead to 3-0 in the third with three hits and a stolen base, but left the bases loaded after consecutive fielder's choices ended the inning.
- Addyson McClure relieved starting pitcher Taylor Zawacki in the fourth, and UMSL added another run on a single, which was charged to McClure.
- UIS broke through in the sixth, cutting the deficit in half. Zawacki doubled, Bender reached on an error and stole second, and Wilson delivered a two-RBI single to bring the score to 4-2.
- The Prairie Stars tied the game in the seventh. McClure doubled with one out before Zawacki and Brinkley hit back-to-back doubles with two outs to even the score at 4-4.
- UMSL managed a single in the bottom of the seventh after Bartletti took over in the circle, but UIS turned a clutch double play followed by a groundout to send the game to extra innings. Neither team scored in the eighth, with UIS managing one hit and UMSL going hitless while Bartletti notched two strikeouts.
- UIS broke the tie in the ninth after two quick strikeouts. Zawacki doubled again, and Brinkley reached on a throwing error that allowed Zawacki to score. Bender then followed with an RBI double to plate Brinkley, giving UIS a 6-4 lead.
- Bartletti shut the door in the bottom half, retiring the Tritons in order with a strikeout looking and two putouts in the field—one of which she leapt to catch herself. Bartletti closed out the final three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three to earn her second win of the day, improving to 11-5.
- Zawacki went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Wilson finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs to power the Prairie Stars.
UIS is set for a pair of games against Lincoln in Jefferson City, Mo., on Sunday.