The University of Illinois Springfield softball team will continue their season at the Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tennessee this weekend.
At the Music City Classic, the Prairie Stars will play teams from the Midwest and Central Region, out of the GAC and GMAC. UIS plays Cedarville at 10:00 a.m. and Harding at 12:00 p.m. on Friday. The Prairie Stars face Northwood at 10:00 a.m. and Ashland at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
UIS (3-1)
The Stars began their 2024 season last weekend at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic and finished with a 3-1 record. UIS scored 30 runs in their 4 games, while only giving up 13. UIS captured both GLVC Softball Weekly Accolades as Malia Bender won Player of the Week and Alexis Carroll won Pitcher of the Week. Bender went 5-for-11 (.455) in the four games with two home runs, 6 RBIs, four runs scored, and one stolen base. Carroll made two starts and pitched 11.0 innings. She allowed 6 hits, 0 earned runs, struck-out 14 batters, and earned the win against Missouri Southern while throwing a seven-inning shutout. On Friday, the Prairie Stars beat Newman 8-0, but lost a close game to Central Missouri, 4-5. On Saturday, UIS beat nationally-recognized Missouri Southern 9-0 and Harding 9-8 in a tense game. UIS was able to score the game-winning run behind a throwing error from Harding's right fielder.
Cedarville (0-3)
The Yellow Jackets began their 2024 season last weekend with a three-game series at Lee University. Cedarville dropped a close first game 6-7, but were beaten handily in the next two games, 2-17 and 3-13. Top returners for the Yellow Jackets are Casey Bertke (P/1B), Dana Bertke (OF), and Mackenzie Russell (OF). Casey Bertke is a three-time All-GMAC selection, and has 34 career victories with a 1.93 earned run average. Her younger sister Dana is the top returning hitter after batting .400 as a freshman. She earned spots on the NFCA Division II Midwest Region Second Team and the All-GMAC First Team. Russell was also an All-G-MAC First Team honoree who hit .286 to go along with 11 appearances in the circle. The Lady Jackets had a 22-26 overall record last season with a 16-8 mark in GMAC play
Harding (4-4)
The Bisons also competed at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic last weekend, where they went 2-2. On Friday, Harding was able to handle Northeastern State 5-1 and Drury 5-3. Saturday, the Bisons dropped two one-run games as they lost to Emporia State 9-10 before losing 8-9 to UIS. Harding will look to build on their 2023 success which featured an NCAA Tournament berth.
Northwood (0-0)
The Timberwolves are set to begin their 2024 campaign at the Music City Classic this weekend. Northwood was picked to finish tied for 6th place with Cedarville in the G-MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Timberwolves had an overall record of 34-24 last season, with a 15-9 mark in G-MAC play. Northwood returns 8 of their 10 everyday starters from last season's team. This includes two All-Conference honorees in Jillian Krawczak (OF) and Ashley Ziel (DP/OF). Krawczak's break-out season last year saw a .464 batting average in conference play and a strong fielding percentage of .957. Ziel led the conference in home runs with nine and topped the team with a .367 batting average as a freshman last season.
Ashland (0-0)
The Eagles are also set to begin their 2024 season at the Music City Classic this weekend. Ashland was picked to finish 8th in G-MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Eagles had an overall record of 21-29 in 2023, with a 13-11 mark in conference play. Two All-Conference players return for Ashland for the 2024 season. First-team sophomore second baseman Danielle Robbins (.391 batting average, 30 runs scored, 14 RBIs, 15 stolen bases in 2023) and second-team junior pitcher Cassidy Shaffer (.270 average, two home runs, 25 RBIs, 4-7 record, one save, 4.80 earned-run average in 2023) are expected to lead the Eagles this year.
How to Follow
Every game will be live streamed on UIS Softball's Facebook account. Each game will also feature live stats, which can be found linked on the UIS Softball schedule.
