SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) softball team concludes the regular season this weekend with Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) doubleheaders against William Jewell College and Rockhurst University.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
UIS (32-13, 19-5) battles with William Jewell College (25-19, 12-12) on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Land of Lincoln Softball Complex. The Prairie Stars then face off with Rockhurst University (19-26, 13-11) on Sunday at 12 p.m. at Land of Lincoln Softball Complex.
 
UIS is currently ranked No. 17 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division II poll. The Prairie Stars hold a No. 2 ranking in the latest NCAA Midwest Region poll while William Jewell moved into No. 8 in the regional rankings.
 
Following the regular season, the GLVC is scheduled to host the conference tournament on May 3-5 at the Eastside Centre in East Peoria, IL.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
UIS swept Truman State University (24-18, 13-13) with 7-1 and 4-3 victories last Thursday. The Prairie Stars then took 8-4 and 5-2 losses to Quincy University (21-23, 9-15) last Saturday.
 
William Jewell powered to a 17-2 victory against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (20-24, 9-15) in five innings and capped off the sweep with a 6-3 win last Saturday. The Cardinals then swept the University of Indianapolis (34-14, 16-8), which was ranked No. 20 nationally at the time, with 1-0 and 9-7 wins last Sunday.
 
Rockhurst also earned a 3-2 win against Indianapolis last Saturday before falling to the Greyhounds 7-5 in eight innings. The Hawks then were handed a 2-0 loss by Bellarmine University (15-27, 6-18) in Game 1, but secured a split with a 2-1 win in Game 2 last Sunday.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Ali Haesele (19-7) is tied for first in the conference and tied for 23rd in the nation in wins. The senior from Minier, IL ranks fourth in the conference in ERA (2.31) and fifth in in the conference in strikeouts per seven innings (7.7). She has contributed 170 strikeouts on the season and a 1.11 WHIP.
 
On offense, Haesele has provided 18 stolen bases and 17 doubles. Among GLVC leaders, Haesele ranks third in stolen bases per game (0.40) and doubles per game (0.38).
 
Jaycee Craver (9-3) is tied for first in the conference and tied for fifth in the nation with six saves. She has posted a 2.93 ERA on the season.
 
Erin Stroup leads the Prairie Stars with a .383 batting average, a .437 on-base percentage and seven triples. She leads the conference and is ranked 12th in the nation with 0.17 triples per game.
 
Calla Wickenhauser has produced team-highs of eight home runs, 33 RBIs and a .646 slugging percentage this season.
 
UIS ranks seventh in the nation with 0.47 triples per game. The Prairie Stars lead the conference in triples per game, batting average (.323), slugging percentage (.473) and scoring (5.67).
 
A LOOK AT WILLIAM JEWELL
Brooke Barnard has delivered 20 doubles on the season and ranks fifth in the nation with 0.50 doubles per game. Among GLVC leaders, Bernard ranks first in doubles per game, third in batting average (.409) and fifth in on-base percentage (.483).
 
Madelynne Greenstreet (8-4) has fanned 108 batters this season and has turned in a 3.07 ERA. Among GLVC leaders, Greenstreet ranks first in opponent batting average (.211) and second in strikeouts per seven innings (9.0). Greenstreet also ranks 10th in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings.
 
At the plate, Greenstreet has contributed four triples and ranks fourth in the conference with 0.10 triples per game.
 
Anna Biondo (11-9) has recorded a 1.34 WHIP this season.
 
A LOOK AT ROCKHURST
Shannon Greene (19-19) has compiled a 1.25 WHIP this season. Among GLVC leaders, Greene ranks first in shutouts (6), T-1 in wins and third in ERA (2.06).
 
Lauren Marks leads the Hawks with a .315 batting average. Hanna Stam has produced a .311 batting average team-highs of eight doubles, six homers, 32 RBIs, a .410 on-base percentage and a .519 slugging percentage.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW
UIS vs. William Jewell (Live Stats)
UIS vs. Rockhurst (Live Stats)