EAST PEORIA, Ill. - Despite defeating eighth-seeded Rockhurst three times earlier this season, the University of Illinois Springfield softball team could not get past pitcher Bridgette Sappington as the Hawks grabbed a 1-0 victory in the elimination bracket of the GLVC Tournament at the EastSide Centre.

UIS moves to 32-22 on the season just four shy of the 2012 team that went to the NCAA Regional Final. Rockhurst moves to 28-21 and plays No. 10 Indianapolis in the afternoon game. UIS defeated UIndy in the first round of the tournament, 3-0, before falling to Lewis to end up in the elimination bracket.

Taylor Bowlby was tagged with the loss to finish at 20-10 on the season. Despite surrendering seven hits, Bowlby fanned 10 batters to match her season-high. Sappington moved to 22-12 with just four hits, two walks and seven strikeouts.

Rockhurst struck in the second inning when with two outs, a single followed by a double allowed a run to cross.

UIS got close to scoring in both the fifth and sixth innings, but left runners stranded at third base as the Hawks forced outs to end the threat.

In the seventh, a lead-off single from Alexa McClaughry and a walk put two runners on, but with two outs on the board, a short hit to third base made the force out and gave Rockhurst the upset.

McClaughry was 2-for-3 on the day, while Molly Manietta and Rachel Goff each contributed a hit. Ashli King was issued two walks.

After being ranked 10th in the midwest region, the Prairie Stars now await the Monday night selection show to see if they can move up two spots for a chance at the NCAA Tournament.