CHATHAM, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) softball team shut down Maryville University during Sunday's Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) doubleheader.
 
UIS (20-9, 7-1) allowed just four hits during the doubleheader. The Prairie Stars rolled to an 8-0 victory in six innings in Game 1 and shutout the Saints (15-12-1, 3-7) with a 6-0 win in Game 2.
 
"Getting those two wins were really win were really huge and I was so proud of the energy the team brought all weekend," UIS coach Shannon Guthrie said.
 
GAME 1: UIS 8, MARYVILLE 0 (F/6)
Ali Haesele (12-4) tossed a near-perfect game, retiring 18 of the 19 batters she faced. She struck out 12 batters and gave up one hit in six scoreless innings
 
"Ali really dominated in the circle and kept Maryville off balance all day.".
 
Morgan Edwards blasted two homers, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs.
 
"It was so great to see Morgan's bat come to life and she really had one of her best games of the season."
 
Bree Derhake finished 4-for-4.
 
"Bree continued to do well and create opportunities for our offense."
 
Erin Stroup went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
 
"Erin was very consistent and kept making things happen."
 
Alexa Brown, Jordyn Larsen, Calla Wickenhauser, Hannah Kain and Madi Torry each provided singles.
 
"We had some production from the lower half of the lineup and off the bench which is always great to see."
 
The Prairie Stars tallied 15 hits throughout the contest.
 
"We came out attacking and that's always great to see."
 
Courtney Ferguson recorded the lone hit for the Saints.
 
Alyssa Callans (7-5) was tagged with the loss. She notched nine strikeouts and surrendered eight runs (six earned) on 15 hits in five and one-third innings.
 
During the bottom of the first inning, Stroup doubles in a run and Edwards crushed a two-run homer. UIS led Maryville 3-0 after one inning.
 
Natalie Cokel scored in the second off an error, following a single from Torry.
 
Edwards smacked her second homer of the day in the third. Wickenhauser connected for an RBI single to put the Prairie Stars ahead 6-0.
 
Stroup capped off the victory with a two-run single in the sixth.
 
GAME 2: UIS 6, MARYVILLE 0
Jaycee Craver (5-2) punched out seven batters, yielded a walk and allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings.
 
"We again had strong pitching and Jaycee threw a shutout to capitalize on a great weekend."
 
 
Haesele went 3-for-4 with a two-run single.
 
"Ali [Haesele] bounced back around to do what she has done all season setting the table in the leadoff spot."
 
Stroup produced a single and two RBIs. Edwards added an RBI triple. Wickenhauser and Lakyn Wagoner each tallied singles to round out UIS's seven hits.
 
"Our offense again powered through."
 
Hope Miller cracked a double, while Callans and Jaclyn Pasakarnis delivered singles. Maryville finished with three hits.
 
The Prairie Stars used strong defense to complement their strong pitching and keep the Saints off the board.
 
 
"I thought our defense made some really key plays."
 
Sheridon Sprague (7-5) was hit with the loss. She struck out four batters, issued three walks and conceded six runs (five earned) on seven hits in six innings.
 
Stroup knocked in Derhake on a sacrifice fly in the first. Edwards belted an RBI triple later in the inning to give UIS a 2-0 lead.
 
"Morgan [Edwards] again had a big hit."
 
Stroup provided a run-scoring single in the third.
 
During the sixth, Wickenhauser singled in a run and Haesele slapped a two-run single.
 
UIS completed a four-game weekend sweep after winning by scores of 5-4 and 2-1 against the University of Missouri-St. Louis (18-14, 5-5).
 
"They put together four wins and showed what they are capable of doing when they work together. It was a great home stand with four big conference wins."
 
UP NEXT
The Prairie Stars are scheduled for two conference doubleheaders next week. UIS battles the University of Southern Indiana (14-13, 3-5) on Friday at 12 p.m. in Evansville, IL. The Prairie Stars then face off with McKendree University (22-7, 8-2) on Saturday at 12 p.m. in Lebanon, IL. Southern Indiana is receiving votes in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division II poll.