SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) softball team clashes with the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) and Maryville University in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) doubleheaders this weekend.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
UIS (16-9, 3-1) takes on UMSL (16-12, 3-3) in an 11 a.m. doubleheader on Friday at the Land of Lincoln Softball Complex. The Prairie Stars then battle Maryville (13-10-1, 1-5) in a doubleheader on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Land of Lincoln Softball Complex.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
The Prairie Stars split with Missouri S&T (14-12, 4-2) last Saturday, taking an 8-1 loss before capturing a 9-2 win. UIS then swept Drury University (8-12, 1-5) last Sunday by scores of 3-2 and 11-7.
 
Last Saturday, UMSL mercy-ruled the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (12-12, 3-3) in five innings during both ends of their doubleheader, winning in 12-1 and 9-0 decisions. The University of Indianapolis (21-5, 5-1) swept UMSL by scores of 7-6 and 3-0 last Sunday. Indianapolis is ranked No. 12 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division II poll.
 
Lewis University (14-10, 3-3) secured 4-0 and 4-3 victories against Maryville last Saturday. Wisconsin-Parkside fought to 3-2 and 5-4 victories against Maryville last Sunday.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Ali Haesele (10-4) leads the GLVC with a .196 opponent batting average and is tied for first in the conference with three shutouts. The senior from Minier, IL also ranks T-2 in strikeouts (87) ranks T-3 in wins and has posted a 1.86 ERA. Haesele also ranks third in the conference with 14 stolen bases. As a hitter, Haesele has provided 30 hits, 12 walks, seven doubles, a .375 batting average and a .457 on-base percentage.
 
Jaycee Craver (3-2) leads the GLVC and ranks T-3 among NCAA Division II leaders with five saves.
Erin Stroup leads the team in batting average (.387) and slugging percentage (.597). The sophomore from Sterling, IL is tied for second in the GLVC with four triples. Stroup also ranks 24th in the nation with 0.18 triples per game.
 
Bree Derhake has stolen eight bases. Hannah Kain and Calla Wickenhauser have each belted three home runs on the season.
 
As a team, UIS ranks second in the GLVC with 1.76 stolen bases per game.
 
LIVE STATS
Friday – UMSL at UIS (Live Stats)
Sunday – Maryville at UIS (Live Stats)