SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) softball team battles Lewis University and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (UW-Parkside) in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) doubleheaders this weekend.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
UIS (27-10, 14-2) faces off with Lewis University (16-20, 5-13) on Friday in a 12 p.m. doubleheader at Romeoville, IL. The Prairie Stars then take on UW-Parkside (17-17, 8-8) on Sunday in a 12 p.m. doubleheader at the Land of Lincoln Softball Complex. UIS received it's first-ever national ranking after being tabbed No. 25 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division II poll.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
The Prairie Stars went 4-0 in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play last week. UIS began last week by topping Bellarmine University (12-22, 3-13) in a 9-1 decision in six innings during Game 1 on Friday. The Prairie Stars completed the sweep with a 6-5 win in Game 2 as Bree Derhake delivered a walk-off two-run double while down to the final strike. UIS then asserted themselves to the top of the GLVC by sweeping the University of Indianapolis (28-8, 11-4) on Saturday by scores of 7-1 and 11-8. Indianapolis fell from No. 11 to No. 15 in the national rankings.
 
Lewis and UW-Parkside split last Saturday as Lewis earned a 2-0 win in Game 1 and UW-Parkside recorded a 7-2 victory in Game 2.
 
On Monday, Lewis took 4-1 and 2-0 losses from Indianapolis.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Ali Haesele (17-5) leads the conference and is tied for ninth in the nation in wins. She also ranks third in the conference with 0.38 doubles per game and 0.49 stolen bases per game. Haesele leads the team in batting average (.384), on-base percentage (.443), hits (48), doubles (14) and stolen bases (18). The senior from Minier, IL holds a 1.03 WHIP and ranks fourth in the conference with a 2.07 ERA.
 
Jaycee Craver (7-2) has registered a 3.09 ERA. The junior from Pekin, IL is tied for first in the conference and tied for third in the nation with six saves.
 
Erin Stroup has belted a team-high six triples on the season and ranks 19th in the nation with 0.18 triples per game.
 
Morgan Edwards has turned in a team-high six home runs for the Prairie Stars. Calla Wickenhauser leads the team in RBIs (27) and slugging percentage (.567).
 
UIS ranks 13th in the nation and second in the conference with 0.43 triples per game. The Prairie Stars lead the GLVC in scoring (5.68) and batting average (.319).
 
A LOOK AT LEWIS
Cassie Shaw (5-6) has provided a 1.24 WHIP for the Flyers and ranks third in the conference with a 2.07 ERA.
 
Kaylee Prieto leads the Flyers in batting average (.330), triples (4), RBIs (19), on-base percentage (.431) and slugging percentage (.541). Shaw and Prieto each have connected on three homers while Prieto and Sarah DeMasi have each ripped six doubles.
 
A LOOK AT UW-PARKSIDE
Jessica Shields leads the Rangers with a .336 batting average, a .423 on-base percentage and 29 stolen bases. She currently leads the GLVC and ranks 10th in the nation with 0.85 stolen bases per game.
 
Adrien Hall and Megan Aliverti have both produced nine doubles this season. Aliverti has also driven in 23 runs.
 
Alyssa Hrncar (11-6) has compiled a 3.37 ERA.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Prairie Stars host Truman State University (20-12, 9-7) in a 2 p.m. doubleheader next Thursday at the Land of Lincoln Softball Complex. UIS then tangles with Quincy University (13-21, 3-13) next Saturday in a 12 p.m. doubleheader at Quincy, IL.