SPRINGFIELD, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) softball team encounters Bellarmine University and the University of Indianapolis in home Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) doubleheaders this weekend.
 
SETTING THE SCENE
UIS (23-10, 10-2) battles Bellarmine (12-18, 3-9) in a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m. at Land of Lincoln Softball Complex. The Prairie Stars then face off with Indianapolis (26-6, 10-2) on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Land of Lincoln Softball Complex. Indianapolis is ranked No. 11 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division II poll and UIS is receiving votes, nationally. The Prairie Stars and the Greyhounds are currently tied for first in the GLVC.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING LATELY
UIS went 3-1 in conference play last week. The Prairie Stars fell to the University of Southern Indiana (17-14, 6-6) in a 2-1 decision in Game 1 before rebounding to a 6-0 victory in Game 2 during Friday's doubleheader. UIS then swept McKendree University (24-9, 10-4) with 5-1 and 9-5 wins on Saturday. McKendree was ranked No. 25 in the nation at the time.
 
Indianapolis took a 4-3 loss to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (16-16, 7-7) in Game 1 before securing a 5-4 win in Game 2 during last Friday's doubleheader.
 
Bellarmine put together a pair of conference splits last weekend. On Friday, Bellarmine suffered a 1-2 loss to Lewis University (15-17, 4-10) in Game 1 before taking a 1-0 win in Game 2. During Saturday's doubleheader, Lewis shut out Wisconsin-Parkside 4-0 in Game 1 and UW-Parkside captured a 3-1 win in Game 2.
 
STARS OF NOTE
Ali Haesele (13-5) has fired four shutouts and currently holds a 0.98 WHIP on the season. Among GLVC leaders, Haesele ranks second in ERA (1.93), T-2 in wins and fourth in opponent batting average (.211). The senior from Minier, IL has also stolen 16 bases on the season, which ranks third in the conference.
 
Jaycee Craver (7-2) currently is tied for first in the conference and tied for third in the nation with five saves.
 
Erin Stroup leads the Prairie Stars with a .368 batting average and five triples. She ranks second in the GLVC and 18th in the nation with 0.17 triples per game.
 
A LOOK AT BELLARMINE
Sabrina Fussenegger (5-8) leads the Knights with a 1.20 WHIP. Rachel Ayers has compiled a .382 batting average and a .485 on-base percentage this season.
 
A LOOK AT INDIANAPOLIS
Hailey Waters (6-2) leads the GLVC with a .201 opponent batting average. She strikes out 8.1 batters per seven innings, which ranks third in the conference and 20th in the nation.
 
Taylor Podschweit has tallied 32 RBIs on the season and ranks second in the GLVC with one RBI per game. Taylor Danielson ranks fourth in the conference with a .701 slugging percentage. Lauren Honkomp (9-3) is tied for third in the conference with three saves.
 
Indianapolis leads the GLVC in ERA (2.42) and scoring (5.59).
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Prairie Stars are scheduled for two conference doubleheaders next weekend. UIS invades Lewis on Saturday at 12 p.m. in Romeoville, IL. The Prairie Stars then take on Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday at 12 p.m. in Somers, WI.
 
HOW TO WATCH
UIS vs. Bellarmine (Live Stats) (Live Video)
UIS vs. Indianapolis (Live Stats)