SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The University of Illinois Springfield softball team did exactly what it needed to do to keep itself in contention for the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament as it swept Rockhurst, 4-0, and 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at Land of Lincoln Softball Complex.
Pitchers
Taylor Bowlby and
Alexandria Smith allowed just six combined hits in the win and just one run which was unearned due to a Prairie Star miscue. Smith tossed five strikeouts, while Bowlby added three. Bowlby also led the Stars offensively as she was 3-for-6 at the plate with three RBI.
In game one, a fielding error led to
Lauren Hollinshead being on base before she stole her 43rd bag of the season. She then stole third with one out before another Rockhurst error allowed Hollinshead to score what ended up being the game-winning run.
UIS added to its lead with a single from Bowlby down the line who scored
Ashli King in the third. King reached on a leadoff double to right field. The Prairie Stars scored two more runs in the sixth. An error and a single put two runners on for
Amanda Gosbeth to move them over on a sac bunt. The Hawks attempted to get the out at home, but
Jordyn Amos came in for the score and then Hollinshead hit a single to score
Molly Manietta.
Bowlby improved to 19-8 on the season and sits in fifth in the GLVC in total wins. Bridgette Sappington moved to 20-10 on the season with five hits, four runs (one earned) and eight strikeouts.
The second game was quiet until the fourth inning. UIS plated two runs in the bottom of the frame thanks to a bases loaded single from Bowlby.
Rockhurst responded with a run in the fifth, but due to a Prairie Star error the run was unearned to Smith.
Illinois Springfield plated one more when
Brittany Miller hit a single to bring home Gosbeth.
Smith kept the Hawks off the base paths as only two batters made it past first base. Smith improved to 12-10 on the year and fanned three batters. Sappington started game two as well and gave up three hits, two runs and three walks in the loss.
The Prairie Stars now await their opponent in the GLVC Tournament as eight teams are left competing on Monday due to rescheduling. Stay tuned to UISPrairieStars.com for more information.
