The University of Illinois Springfield softball team won in walk-off fashion on Senior Day at LOLJOS in Springfield, Ill. The Prairie Stars defeated No. 9 Indianapolis by a 2-1 score in the seniors' final home game. Indianapolis captured game one of the doubleheader by a 2-0 mark.
 
Pitching dominated for both teams on the day, with UIS and Indianapolis combining for just five runs and 21 hits in 16 innings of play.
 
In the opener, Indianapolis scored twice in the second inning and that turned out to be the only runs of the game. UIS nearly tied the game in the fourth, but her shot to right center hit off the top of the fence for a double. The Prairie Stars also got two on in the sixth, but couldn't get a key two-out hit.
 
Edwards, one of six seniors that were honored after the doubleheader, got UIS's only two hits in the game. Natalie Cokel, senior Madi Torry, and Ali Bortmess all drew walks. Senior Jaycee Craver took the loss despite allowing just six hits and two runs. She walked one, hit a batter, and struck out four.
 
In the second game, UIS got on the board first in the fourth inning. Edwards opened the inning with a triple, and Calla Wickenhauser followed with a sacrifice fly. The Greyhounds tied it in the sixth after they opened the inning up with three straight hits, but the Prairie Stars pitched out of the jam.
 
UIS had runners on base in every inning in the game but one. In the ninth, Grace Harris drew a walk to open the inning. Kendra Peifer pinch ran and went to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a single by Carolyn Franke. Bree Derhake then ended the game with a sacrifice fly to left that scored Peifer.
 
Edwards finished the game with two hits, including a double and triple, and walked once. Cokel also had two hits. Payton Long started the game, left in the fifth, and then re-entered in the sixth. She finished with 8 1/3 innings, and allowed just four hits, four walks, and no runs. She struck out 12 the game. Long was especially strong in the two extra innings, retiring six straight after a leadoff walk in the eighth.
 
The other seniors, who all participated in the doubleheader, were Alexa Brown, Hannah Kain, and Haley Inman. This year's senior class have a combined 851 games played in a UIS uniform. They are one of the most successful senior classes in program history, including playing key roles in last year's 40-win team that advanced to the NCAA Division II Super Regional.
 
UIS moves to 23-21 on the season and 12-10 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars end the regular season next weekend with road games at Rockhurst and William Jewell.