The University of Illinois Springfield softball team swept Southwest Baptist on Saturday on Senior Day. The Prairie Stars received dominant pitching from senior pitchers Payton Long and Courtney Blackwell.
 
In the 4-0 win in game one, Long threw a three-hit shutout. She struck out 12 in her performance, and walked just one batter. Twice, she struck out all three batters in an inning. Long only faced two jams, but she escaped both, including third and second with no one out in the sixth.
 
Offensively, the Prairie Stars scored a single run in fourth innings. Ella Brinkley scored two of the team's runs, and Jillian Mathis had a team-high two hits.
 
In the second game, Blackwell threw shutout ball for three innings, and she allowed just three hits and one walk. Reagan Miles pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out five.
 
Offensively, the Prairie Stars broke the game open with a nine-run fourth inning, and won the contest by a 12-0 margin. Brinkley had another big game, going three-for-three with two runs and four RBI. Carolyn Franke had two hits and two runs, and Emma Garcia had two hits and two RBI. Danielle Dennis and Addyson McClure both had two RBI, and Ashley Klinzing scored twice.
 
Besides the pitchers, two other players played in their final home games for the Prairie Stars. Carly Chovanec had two hits and one run. She also stole two bases, and is now tied for the school's single-season record with 47 stolen bases. Grace Harris had two hits and one walk in four plate appearances. She also threw out two potential base stealers.
 
UIS improves to 31-14 on the season, and 15-9 in GLVC play. The Prairie Stars end their regular season next week with road doubleheaders at Missouri S&T and Drury.