SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (16-22, 8-12) swept Saint Joseph's (11-30, 7-13) 2-1 and 5-0, extending their winning streak to a season-high six games.
BriAnna Edgar hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning in the opener before UIS handled the Puma's 5-0 in game two.
GAME ONE: ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 2, SAINT JOSEPH'S 1
Alexandria Smith and
Jaycee Craver combined to throw a two-hitter in the opener. Smith threw six strong innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits, striking out three. Craver picked up the win, relieving Smith in the middle of the seventh inning and stranding a baserunner at second.
Offensively,
Amanda Gosbeth started the scoring in the first with an infield single, scoring Edgar to give UIS the early advantage. After the Puma's tied the game in the sixth,
Alexa McClaughry drew a one out walk and advanced to second on a single from
Jordyn Larsen. Edgar became the hero when she singled to center, scoring McClaughry and giving the Prairie Stars a 2-1 win.
Smith took a no-hitter into the sixth, surrendering a two-out single, which broke up the no-hitter as well as the shutout.
Edgar and Larsen each had two hits on the game as UIS totaled nine on the game.
GAME TWO: ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 5, SAINT JOSEPH'S 0
UIS used another dominating pitching performance to shut down the Puma's and pick up their sixth straight win in the second game of the double header. Craver tossed a complete game shutout, striking out seven and scattering five hits. The freshman righty is now 10-10 on the season and has picked up the win in four of the last five games for UIS.
The Prairie Stars plated two runs in the third, the first on a passed ball and the second on a sacrifice fly from Gosbeth. The rest of the runs game in the fourth as UIS used a leadoff double from
Rachel Goff to start the rally. Larsen, Edgar, and Miller each picked up RBI singles in the rally to push the lead to 5-0.
Edgar collected another two-hit game in the leadoff spot, driving in another run and scoring twice. Goff also had two hits in the seven spot, including a double.
The Prairie Stars will now turn their attention to the number one team in the nation, UIndy. UIS will look to extend their winning streak and continue to make a second half push into the GLVC tournament.
