The University of Illinois Springfield softball team lost a defensive battle to Drury on Saturday at the GLVC Championship Tournament. The Prairie Stars were knocked out of the tournament with a 1-0 loss.
 
UIS's Jaycee Craver and Drury's Kasey Cazares did not allow a run through the first five innings of the matchup. Drury finally broke through in the top of the sixth with two singles, a bunt, and a sacrifice fly. That run proved to be the only tally in the game.
 
The Prairie Stars' best chance to score came in the third. Addison Bryant reached on an error to start the inning, and Kendra Peifer followed with a single. Bryant was retired on a fielder's choice, and a fly out and strikeout ended that threat.
 
Craver pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed just six hits and one walk. She struck out two. Payton Long pitched the final 1 1/3 innings and struck out three of the four batters she faced.
 
UIS falls to 27-24 overall. The Prairie Stars will learn on Monday if they make the NCAA Tournament field. UIS was ranked seventh this week in the latest regional rankings.