The Illinois Springfield softball team celebrated Senior Day in style on Saturday with a dominant doubleheader sweep over William Jewell. The Prairie Stars earned a pair of five-inning shutout victories, winning game one 8-0 and game two 11-0 at the UIS Softball Field.

With the wins, UIS improves to 27-16 overall and 15-9 in GLVC play, remaining tied for fourth in the conference standings with McKendree. Rosie Bartletti picked up the win in both games, moving to 17-7 on the season, the second-most wins of any pitcher in the GLVC.

Saturday also marked Senior Day for the Prairie Stars, as the program recognized eight seniors: Ella Brinkley, Malia Bender, Nyla Cooper, Addyson McClure, Katie Pederson, Jacy Watts, Isabella Wilson, and Taylor Zawacki.

GAME ONE | W, 8-0 (5 Inn.)

• Rosie Bartletti got the start in the opener and struck out two of the first three batters she faced. She then sparked the UIS offense in the bottom of the first, laying down a bunt single after senior Ella Brinkley led off with a triple. Bartletti stole second, and then teamed up with Taylor Zawacki for a double steal before scoring on an Addyson McClure sacrifice bunt. Zawacki came home shortly after on a Nyla Cooper single, giving UIS a quick 3-0 lead. 
• Bartletti was in command in the circle, striking out nine and turning in quick innings throughout the game. UIS added five runs in the third thanks to a mix of timely hits and a William Jewell error. Cooper and Isabella Wilson drove in runs, Wilson's RBI single capping the rally. Bailey Masching came home on a throw, extending the lead to 7-0.
• In the fifth, Cooper singled and Masching doubled in pinch-runner Rebecca Neupauer to trigger the run-rule win.
• Cooper went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Masching finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored. 

GAME TWO | W, 11-0 (5 Inn.)

• Bartletti returned to the circle in game two and worked around early trouble, stranding two Cardinals on base in the first. She followed with a double in her first at-bat, then stole third and scored on a double steal with Malia Bender to give UIS a 1-0 lead.
• Cooper continued her standout Senior Day performance with a solo home run to start the second inning. The Prairie Stars then erupted for a six-run third, sending 12 batters to the plate. Brinkley started the inning with a double, followed by hits from Bartletti, Zawacki, Bender, Cooper, Masching, and Wilson. Bartletti capped the inning with a two-RBI single to give UIS an 8-0 cushion.
• McClure entered the game in the fourth and worked a clean frame despite allowing a pair of baserunners. UIS added two more runs in the bottom half — Bender walked and scored on Cooper's single, followed by Wilson driving in Cooper.
• McClure shut the door in the fifth, retiring the Cardinals in order with a flyout and two groundouts to close out the sweep.
• Bartletti and Wilson were each 3-for-3 in game two. Cooper went 2-for-3 with two more RBIs, including the home run. Bartletti struck out five in three innings in the circle, while McClure struck out two over two scoreless innings.

Up Next
UIS will hit the road to close out the regular season next weekend with trips to Upper Iowa and Lewis. The GLVC Championship Tournament is set for May 1-4 in East Peoria, Illinois, and the Prairie Stars remain firmly in the hunt.