The University of Illinois Springfield softball team swept a GLVC doubleheader against Quincy on Friday night in Chatham, Ill. The Prairie Stars won by scores of 3-0 and 6-5.
 
The opener was highlighted by a great performance by Payton Long. She retired the first 11 batters of the game, and never allowed a runner past second base. She finished the game scattering just three hits, having no walks, and striking out seven batters.
 
UIS got all of its offense in the bottom of the sixth. Danielle Dennis started the inning with a single. Two straight batters reached then after Quincy tried to get Dennis out on a force play. She was safe each time, and scored on a throwing error on the second play. Another Quincy error scored the second run, and Ella Brinkley had a RBI double to finish the scoring. Brinkley had two of the team's three hits in the game, as well as the only RBI.
 
In the second game, UIS never trailed but had to hold off a late Quincy rally. The Prairie Stars had a 6-2 advantage in the seventh, but a three-run homer pulled the Hawks within one. Courtney Blackwell entered the game in relief at that point, and retired the next three batters for the save. Reagan Miles threw six innings and earned the victory.
 
Offensively, Carly Chovanec had two hits, two runs, and one RBI. Kelsie Burrows also had two hits, one run, and one RBI.
 
UIS improves to 22-12 overall and 6-8 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars are off until a Wednesday non-conference doubleheader at home against Missouri Western.