SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars find themselves right in the thick of the playoff race in the GLVC east with two conference weekends remaining. UIS (23-17, 11-9) is currently in a three-way tie for the final playoff spot and just one game back of the third place team, Saint Joseph's. With eight conference games remaining, the Prairie Stars will be going head-to-head with two of the top three teams in the conference as they fight for the final spot.

SETTING THE SCENE
The Prairie Stars enter the game after winning their first conference series of the year, taking three-of-four from Wisconsin – Parkside. UIS had split their first four conference series' of the season and now find themselves two games over .500 after the series win over the Rangers. UIS has won eight of their last 11 games, winning a non-conference game over Truman State as well.

Coming into town, the Greyhounds are currently sitting atop the standings in the GLVC east with an overall record of 29-13 and conference record of 14-6. UIndy has won nine of their last 13 games, taking three of four from Bellarmine in their last home conference series. They have taken three of four from each one of their conference opponents except for McKendree, which they split with in Lebanon.

HOME SWEET HOME
The Prairie Stars have played 26 games at home this season, opposed to just eight true road games. They have six neutral site games, two of which were played at Lenz Field in Jacksonville, where UIS served as the home team. The Prairie Stars are 16-12 playing at home or in Jacksonville. 16 of their last 17 games have been played at home and that number will move to 21 of their last 22 after a four game set with UIndy and single game against Lincoln University next Tuesday.

UIS is 11-5 during their current home stretch, all five losses coming within the conference, going 4-0 during non-conference play.

GLVC RANKINGS
UIndy is currently hitting .308 as a team, ranking 5^th in the GLVC while UIS is just under that, hitting .297, ranking 7^th. The Greyhounds hold a slight advantage in slugging percentage and on-base percentage as both teams rank in the top-five in both categories.

UIS is currently 2^nd in the league in homeruns, tallying 40 on the season, second only to Quincy. UIndy trails by just one, totaling 39 on the season as they rank 2^nd and 3^rd in the conference.

On the pitching side, the two teams rank 7^th and 8^th in ERA as UIndy boasts a 4.37 while UIS has a 4.56. However, UIS hold opponents to a mere .256 batting average, ranking 2^nd in the league.

ALL-TIME SERIES
The Prairie Stars are 3-7 against the Greyhounds, dating back to 2011. UIndy won the first three match-ups before UIS took two one-run decision in 2014. UIndy took the next four before UIS closed out last season with an 11-6 win.

WHO TO WATCH FOR
Anthony Asalon leads the way for UIndy, hitting .398 on the season, good for 6^th in the GLVC. With eight doubles and seven homeruns, he is a tough out, drawing 18 walks to just 16 strikeouts on the season. The Greyhounds have eight players hitting over .300 on the season and 11 players who have at least two homeruns.

On the mound, Dylan Stutsman has been shutdown out of the bullpen, making 22 appearances and garnering a 5-1 record, though making no starts. His 1.82 ERA is best on the team and he has 38 strikeouts opposed to just eight walks. Batters hit just .190 off of the sophomore, who has ten saves on the year. Their starter is Matthew Kaplanis, who is 8-0 in ten starts, pitching to a 3.18 ERA.

UIS has found their stride recently, starting with the top of the order with senior, Jake Redlinger. The centerfielder has set the table for the middle of the order, tallying ten hits over his last nine games and scoring ten runs.

Gabriel Acevedo and Trey Hannam continue to be a force in the middle of the order, totaling 16 homeruns between the two and driving in 62 runs. Acevedo has walked 16 times and been hit 11 times opposed to just 17 strikeouts while Hannam has drawn 24 walks opposed to 25 strikeouts.

WHO'S ON DECK
The Prairie Stars will play their final home games of the 2016 season next Tuesday as they host Lincoln University out of Jefferson City, Missouri. The mid-week non-conference game will serve as their final tune-up before traveling to Saint Joseph's for the final week of the regular season.