SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The Prairie Stars (29-21, 15-11) will look to secure a bid to the GLVC Tournament in their final weekend of play in the regular season. Illinois Springfield will play host to William Jewell (25-23, 14-12) and Rockhurst (30-20, 19-7) as they look to make their second post-season in the last three seasons.

SETTING THE SCENE
Illinois Springfield currently holds the longest winning streak in the GLVC at nine games. The Prairie Stars fell in the first three games of a 12-game road swing, but won the final nine games and vault into sixth place in the GLVC standings. UIS returns home for the first time since an April 4^th doubleheader vs. McKendree.

William Jewell enters the weekend having won three of their last four games, sweeping Wisconsin-Parkside and splitting with Lewis. Currently a game back of UIS in the standings, the Cardinals will travel to Lebanon to take on McKendree after a doubleheader with UIS.

Rockhurst begins the final weekend in a tie atop the conference standings with Southern Indiana. The Hawks have split their last six games and will face McKendree before ending the season here in Springfield.

A LOOK AT THE GLVC
The Prairie Stars sit in sixth place in the GLVC standings, three games up on a three-team pod sitting in ninth. UIS sits directly above William Jewell and the University of Indianapolis (who UIS already swept), so they hold that tie-breaker.

The top-eight teams make the conference tournament, which will be held at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, IL from May 4-6.

THE LAST TIME…
UIS holds a 4-10 all-time record against William Jewell and a 2-4 mark in the Shannon Guthrie era, dating back to 2014. Last season, UIS fell 9-1 before winning the final game against the Cardinals 2-0. The Prairie Stars have dropped their last five home games against William Jewell.

UIS is 15-4 all-time against the Hawks including a 7-2 mark since Guthrie took over. The Prairie Stars split last season in Kansas City, winning 2-0 before falling 6-1.

KATE THE GREAT
Over her last five games, Katie Wooldridge is batting a cool .600, going 9-for-15 with a double, five runs and two RBI. The junior from Godfrey, Illinois hasn't struck out in her last 16 plate appearances and has hit safely in eight of her last nine games.

9 STRAIGHT
The Prairie Stars' current nine-game winning streak is the longest in program history, besting a seven-game winning streak accomplished in both 2012 and 2016. During this streak, UIS is hitting .373 as a team while opponents are batting a mere .209. They have outscored their opponents 74-10 while collecting 93 hits against opponents 43.

Amanda Gosbeth has been leading the offensive attack, hitting .538 (14-for-26) during the stretch, with three doubles, two home runs, 13 runs and 13 RBI. Six additional walks up her on-base percentage to .618.

As a team, UIS has been perfect on the base paths, swiping their last 17 bags without getting caught.

SENIOR WEEKEND
UIS will recognize three seniors on this year's team: Amanda Gosbeth, BriAnna Edgar, and Alexa McClaughry. All three student-athletes are four-year members of the Prairie Stars and have won 112 games at UIS.

A ceremony will follow the games on Sunday if the weather holds, but could be moved to precede the games, if there is a chance of rain on Sunday.