SPRINGFIELD, IL – Ohio Dominican University knocked out the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) baseball team of the NCAA Tournament with a 14-12 victory on Sunday.
 
"It was another back-and-forth battle with a good ball club," UIS coach Chris Ramirez said. "Like many times throughout the season, our players never quit and showed a lot of heart until the very end, but we came up short."
 
Fourth-seeded Ohio Dominican (36-16) qualified for Championship Monday by upsetting top-seeded UIS (47-9). The Prairie Stars are ranked No. 4 in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) NCAA Division II poll.
 
In a historic season, UIS captured its first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) East Division title while setting program records in wins (47) and conference wins (23). The Prairie Stars received their first-ever regional and national rankings and peaked at No. 2 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper (CBN) NCAA Division II poll. UIS locked up the top seed in the region in addition to qualifying for its first-ever NCAA Tournament.
 
Among NCAA Division II leaders, the Prairie Stars finished their season ranked first in home runs per game (1.86), first in slugging percentage (.581), first in hits allowed per nine inning (6.80), second in scoring (9.4), second in on-base percentage (.433), sixth in ERA (3.16), sixth in WHIP (1.24), seventh in doubles per game (2.36) ninth in batting average (.327) and 10th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.0), while leading the conference in each category.
 
Michael Rothmund went 2-for-5 with five RBIs for the Prairie Stars. The senior from Lombard, IL provided a three-run home run and a two-run single. Nick Stokowski went 3-for-4 with a two-run blast. Drew Harper finished 3-for-5. Chris Mathieu ripped a two-run homer, going 2-for-4. Zach Speaker added a double. Jack Schaaf, Cole Taylor and John Sechen each tallied singles to round out UIS's 14 hits.
 
Justin Childers led Ohio Dominican, going 3-for-5 with an RBI double and a solo homer. He also plated four runs for the Panthers. Colin Kaucher finished 2-for-5 with an RBI double. Brad Hull went 2-for-4. Bernee Sanchez delivered a three-run homer and Joy Machuga belted a two-run double. Noah Bland rounded out Ohio Dominican's 10 hits with a single.
 
Clay Davies earned the start for Ohio Dominican. He struck out two batters, scattered five walks and allowed five runs on four hits in three innings. Tim Keller (5-1) picked up the win. He punched out seven batters, issued three walks and gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits in four and two-thirds innings. Dustin Cowart collected his second save of the season. He fanned one batter, yielded one walk and surrendered three runs on two hits in one and one-third innings.
 
Nick Alvarado was tabbed with the start for UIS. He struck out a batter, gave up two walks and yielded five runs (four earned) on four hits in one and one-third innings. R.D. Lutze (0-2) suffered the loss. He punched out two batters, gave up two walks and surrendered four runs (three earned) on two hits in three innings. Sam Geraci recorded a strikeout and allowed an unearned run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning. Cam Zunkel fanned a batter, issued a walk and gave up one run on one hit in two innings. Andrew Dean punched out a batter, allowed two walks and scattered three runs on two hits in one inning.
 
Stokowski crushed a two-run homer in the top of the first inning.
 
In the bottom of the first, Childers scored on an error. Chris Sackett then knocked in Kaucher on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-all.
 
Childers contributed an RBI double in the second. Ohio Dominican took a 5-2 lead after Machuga doubled in two runs.
 
During the fourth, Taylor singled in a run and Rothmund ripped a two-run single. Taylor scored after Sechen reached on fielding error to give UIS a 6-5 lead.
 
Sanchez smashed a three-run homer to give Ohio Dominican an 8-6 lead in the fifth.  Hull scored after Childers reached on an error. Kaucher produced a run-scoring double to take a four-run lead.
 
Sechen drove in Stokowski in the sixth on a groundout.
 
During the seventh, Harper tallied a one-out single. Schaaf and Rothmund drew walks to load the bases for Rothmund with two outs. Rothmund rocketed a shot to center field, but the ball was caught by Bland at the center-field fence, robbing Rothmund of a grand slam.
 
"The play of the game was with the bases loaded and Rothmund crushed a ball to deep center field and their guy made the play crashing over the fence."
 
Childers provide a solo homer in the seventh.
 
During the eighth with one runner on, Mathieu battled in his at bat and on the 10th pitch, he belted a two-run homer to cut Ohio Dominican's lead to two runs.
 
"Chris had one of his best at bats of the season, fouling off countless pitches ending with a two-run homer."
 
In the bottom half of the inning, Jace Komminsk knocked in Machuga on a fielder's choice. Hull and Bland added RBI singles to take a 14-9 lead.
 
In the top of the ninth with zero outs, Taylor singled and Stokowski drew a walk. Rothmund destroyed a home-run ball and drove in another three runs.
 
Cowart retired the next three batters to close out the victory.
 
"Right now it feels like the season got cut a bit short, but it doesn't take away from the season this group of guys has had. Every individual in this program played a role one way or another in this season success. At some point, just about every player had their own shining moment."
 
As a result of UIS's on-the-field success, the Prairie Stars were given the opportunity to host the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional at Robin Roberts Stadium.
 
"I want to thank our administration, coaches and all of the volunteers that allowed us to host this regional. This will definitely be a season to remember."
 
"The leaders in our program have done a tremendous job establishing a winning culture. Our 12 seniors have raised the bar and will be missed, but they have left the UIS Baseball program in good hands with the guys returning."
 
UIS graduates seniors Troy Cantu, Colby Carmichael, Geraci, Hann, Harper, Tyler Hilton, Ethan Howard, Austen Kapusinski, Austin Lukaschewski, Rothmund, Schaaf, Stokowski and Taylor.
 
Cantu is 18-for-59 in the season with two homers and a .305 batting average. The Huntley, IL native has put together a .278 career batting average, going 44-for-158 with five homers.
 
Carmichael is 1-0 in 15 career appearances. The Des Moines, IA native has tallied 12 career strikeouts in 14 innings.
 
This year, Geraci is 3-0 and has fanned 36 batters in 22 and two-thirds innings, recording a 2.78 ERA and a .182 opponent batting average. The Steger, IL native is 4-4 in his career and has punched out 59 batters in 51 and one-third innings. Among UIS career leaders, he ranks third in strikeouts per nine innings (10.34) and sixth in opponent batting average (2.42).
 
Hann collected Second Team All-GLVC East Division honors in 2017 after finishing 67-for-184 with five homers, 40 RBIs and a .364 batting average, which is the sixth-highest single-season batting average in school history. The Lafayette, IN native repeated with Second Team All-GLVC East Division recognition in 2018, going 50-for-193 with 15 doubles, eight homers, 44 RBIs and a .259 batting average. Among UIS single-season leaders, Hann ranks T-4 in sacrifice flies (4), T-6 in RBIs, T-7 in homers, T-7 in doubles and T-7 in walks (26).
 
Hann concluded his career 117-for-377 with a .310 batting average. Among UIS career leaders, Hann ranks fourth in RBIs (84), T-5 in homers (13), T-5 in hits, T-5 in walks (48), T-5 in sacrifice flies (5), sixth in total bases (185), T-6 in runs (77), T-7 in doubles (25) and eighth in slugging percentage (.491).
 
Harper finished 18-for-62 with three homers and a .290 batting average on the season. The Sikeston, MO native went 52-for-183 with eight homers and a .284 batting average in his career. Harper ranks ninth in UIS history in career homers.
 
Hilton went 11-for-34 in his career with two homers and a .324 batting average.
 
In 2017, Howard went 6-5 after posting 62 strikeouts and a 3.15 ERA in 74 and one-third innings to land on the All-GLVC East Division Second Team. Howard's 2017 performance puts him third in single-season strikeouts and T-8 in single-season wins among UIS record holders. The senior from Prophetstown, IL put together a 2-1 record this season and fanned 14 batters in 15 innings. For his career, Howard is 8-6 with a 3.43 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 89 and one-third innings. Among UIS career leaders, Howard ranks second in opponent batting average (.221), fifth in ERA, T-6 in wins and ninth in strikeouts.
 
Kapusinski is 1-0 with one save in his career. In 24 career appearances, the Oswego, IL native has struck out 16 batters in 27 and one-third innings.
 
Lukaschewski has registered 16 career appearances and fanned 16 batters in 14 and one-third innings.
 
As a freshman, Rothmund went 41-for-135 with five homers and a .305 batting average, which helped him receive Second Team All-GLVC East Division honors. During his junior year, Rothmund garnered the program's first-ever GLVC Player of the Week award. Rothmund went 70-for-205 with a .341 batting average. Among NCAA Division II leaders, Rothmund finished first in homers (24), fifth in slugging percentage (.785), ninth in RBIs (68) and ninth in total bases (161). Rothmund led the GLVC in each category. Among UIS single-season leaders, Rothmund's 2017 season puts him T-1 in homers, T-1 in triples (4), second in total bases, third in slugging percentage, third in RBIs and sixth in runs (56). He was named to the All-GLVC East Division First Team, the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NCAA Division II All-Midwest Region Second Team and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Midwest Region Second Team, in addition to being chosen as the UIS Male Athlete of the Year.
 
Rothmund began his senior season by being tabbed as a CBN NCAA Division II Preseason All-American. He went 77-for-213 with a .362 batting average on the season. Among NCAA Division II leaders, Rothmund ranks T-2 in homers (24), third in total bases (171), T-3 in RBIs (83), seventh in slugging percentage (.803), T-10 in runs (67) and T-19 in doubles (20). Amid GLVC leaders, Rothmund ranks first in homers, first in RBIs, second in slugging percentage, T-2 in runs, fourth in doubles and ninth in batting average. Rothmund was a unanimous First Team All-GLVC East Division selection, garnered NCBWA NCAA Division II All-Midwest Region Second Team honors and received D2CCA All-Midwest Region Second Team recognition.
 
Rothmund's 2018 season put him first in RBIs, first in total bases, T-1 in runs, T-1 in sacrifice flies (5), second in slugging percentage, T-3 in doubles, T-3 in hits, fourth in walks (31), eighth in batting average and ninth in on-base percentage (.440) among UIS single-season leaders. He also matched the single-season school record in homers. Rothmund wrapped up his career 194-for-593 with a .327 career batting average. Among UIS career leaders, Rothmund ranks first in homers (53), first in RBIs (175), first in runs (148), first in triples (7), first in total bases (408), first in hits (194), second in doubles (41), second in walks (69), third in slugging percentage (.688), T-3 in sacrifice flies (7), ninth in batting average and ninth in on-base percentage (.401).
 
Schaaf went 67-for-195 with a .344 batting average on the season. The Springboro, OH ranks T-14 in the nation with 66 runs and T-39 in the nation with 24 stolen bases. Among GLVC leaders, Schaaf ranks fourth in runs, fourth in stolen bases and seventh in on-base percentage (.469). Schaaf was named to the All-GLVC East Division First Team. Among UIS single-season leaders, Schaaf ranks first in stolen bases (24), first in stolen-base percentage (.923), first in walks (38), third in runs, fourth in on-base percentage, T-4 in triples (3), eighth in total bases (99) and T-8 in hits. In his one-year career, Schaaf landed second in stolen bases, third in on-base percentage, fifth in batting average, T-5 in triples, seventh in slugging percentage (.508), eighth in walks and ninth in runs on the UIS career leaderboard.
 
Stokowski finished 77-for-195 with a .395 batting average on the season. Among NCAA Division II leaders, Stokowski ranks fourth in slugging percentage (.815), T-5 in homers (23), seventh in RBIs (75), eighth in total bases (159), 24th in on-base percentage (.502), 47th in batting average (.395) and 49th in runs (58). Amid GLVC leaders, Stokowski ranks first in slugging percentage, first in batting average, T-2 in homers, third in RBIs, third in total bases, third in on-base percentage and eighth in runs. Stokowski was named to the All-GLVC East Division First Team, the NCBWA NCAA Division II All-Midwest Region First Team and the D2CCA All-Midwest Region First Team. The Monticello, IL native received NCBWA NCAA Division II Midwest Region Player of the Week, was tabbed GLVC Player of the Week twice and was selected as the UIS Male Athlete of the Year.
 
Among UIS single-season leaders, Stokowski ranks first in slugging percentage, second in RBIs, second in on-base percentage, third in homers, third in batting average, third in total bases, T-3 in hits (77), third in walks (32), T-4 in sacrifice flies (4) and fifth in runs. In his one-year career, Stokowski landed first in slugging percentage, first in batting average, first in on-base percentage, third in homers, sixth in RBIs, ninth in total bases.
 
In 2017, Taylor went 85-for-215 with a .395 batting average. The Fairmount, IL native turned in 25 doubles which ranked first in the conference and third in the nation. Taylor was selected to the All-GLVC East Division First Team, the D2CCA All-Midwest Region First Team and the ABCA All-Midwest Region First Team, in addition to being selected as the UIS Newcomer of the Year. He then received D2CCA All-American Honorable Mention and ABCA NCAA Division II All-American Honorable Mention. Among UIS single-season leaders, Taylor's 2017 performance puts him first in doubles, first in hits (85), T-1 in triples (4), second in batting average, fourth in runs (63), fourth in total bases (154), fifth in RBIs (47) and fifth in slugging percentage (.716).
 
Taylor began the 2018 season by being tabbed as a CBN NCAA Division II Preseason All-American. He went 79-for-225 with a .351 batting average on the season. Among NCAA Division II leaders, Taylor ranks eighth in doubles (24), T-10 in runs (67), T-14 in total bases (149) and T-30 in RBIs (61). Amid GLVC leaders, Taylor ranks T-2 in runs, third in doubles, fourth in RBIs, T-4 in total bases, fifth in slugging percentage (.662), T-5 in homers (14) and T-7 in stolen bases (18). Taylor has been named GLVC Player of the Week, was selected to the All-GLVC East Division First Team, was tabbed with NCBWA NCAA Division II All-Midwest Region honors and received D2CCA All-Midwest Region recognition. Among UIS single-season leaders, Taylor's 2018 season puts him T-1 in runs, second in hits, second in doubles, second in stolen-base percentage (.900), T-3 in stolen bases. fourth in home runs, fourth in RBIs, fifth in total bases, T-5 in walks (27), sixth in slugging percentage and 10th in on-base percentage (.435). Taylor finished 164-for-440 with a .373 batting average for his career. Among UIS career leaders, Taylor ranks first in doubles (49), first in stolen bases (25), second in batting average, second in slugging percentage (.689), second in homers (26), second in RBIs (108), second in runs (130), second in total bases (303), second in hits (164), second in triples (6),  fourth in on-base percentage (.447), T-5 in walks (48) and sixth in sacrifice hits (9).
 
The Prairie Stars are expected to return 34-for-47 players for the 2019 season.
 
"The leaders in our program have done a tremendous job establishing a winning culture. Our 13 seniors have raised the bar and will be missed, but they have left the UIS Baseball program in good hands with the guys returning."