Following a pair of wins on Friday, the Illinois Springfield softball team completed a perfect 4-0 weekend at the 2026 UIS Springfield Clinic Classic, defeating Thomas More twice at the Springfield Clinic Dome at Scheels Sports Park.

UIS improved to 7-3 overall with a 5-3 comeback win in game one, followed by an 8-2 victory in the second game to close the weekend without a loss.

GAME ONE | W, 5-3
The Thomas More Saints struck first with a three-run home run in the opening inning, but the Prairie Stars responded with a decisive four-run third inning and strong pitching relief to earn the comeback win.

Rebecca Neupauer opened the third with a single and later scored on a Rosie Bartletti double. Bartletti advanced to third on an error and scored on a Chloe Scroggins groundout. Emme Steward capped the rally with a two-run home run, giving UIS a 4-3 lead.

UIS added an insurance run in the sixth when Neupauer singled and scored on Bartletti's RBI triple.

Calista Stahlhut earned the win in the circle, throwing 6.2 innings in relief and allowing just three hits, keeping Thomas More scoreless after the first inning. Bartletti and Steward each finished with two hits, while Neupauer reached base three times and scored twice.

"After starting the game in a hole, I was really proud of the way our team responded to the challenge. Calista Stahlhut did an amazing job coming in and turning the tide for us. Calista was ready to go and used her pitches effectively to keep Thomas More off balance. Offensively, our speed led the way for our bats to get going. Rosie and Rebecca did a great job of running the bases, helping us get some runs, while Emme Steward added the drive of the day with her big home run. The defense did their job behind Calista and got her quick ground-ball outs. The team did a great job of staying in the game, and I was proud of the way they battled all seven innings," said head coach Shannon Guthrie.

GAME TWO | W, 8-2
The Prairie Stars carried their momentum into the final game of the tournament, using a five-run third inning to take control and secure the sweep.

After both teams scored in the first, UIS broke the game open in the third. Rebecca Neupauer singled to start the rally and later scored, while Chloe Scroggins, Emme Steward, Bailey Masching, and Koral Keehner all delivered RBI singles. Steward added another RBI in the fourth, and UIS closed the scoring in the sixth on Steward's RBI double.

Rosie Bartletti was dominant in the circle, pitching four innings and striking out six Saints while allowing just one earned run. Elizabeth Grube closed out the game, striking out three and allowing just one hit in the final three innings.

Steward totaled three hits and three RBIs, while Scroggins scored three runs and stole two bases. Bartletti added two runs scored and three stolen bases to complete a strong all-around performance.

"Rosie Bartletti did her job in the circle, giving us another strong start," said Guthrie. "We again had to start the game from behind, but Rosie did a great job leading off and finding a way on base. She flew her way around the base paths to get the game tied right back up. Emme Steward had an amazing day, perfect at the plate. She was in every at-bat and worked her counts to find pitches she could drive. Chloe and Rebecca also chipped in for key at-bats to keep us getting runs on the board. Everybody really worked together well to make this another huge team win. It was awesome to start off our home series in the dome with a 4-0 weekend, and we look to carry that momentum into the next week."

All-Tournament Team
Following the UIS Springfield Clinic Classic, an All-Tournament Team was selected to recognize standout performances from the five-team, eight-game tournament. The list includes five Prairie Stars.

Rosie Bartletti, P/UT
Bartletti posted a 2-0 record with a 0.64 ERA, striking out 17 over 11 innings while allowing just one earned run. She hit .333, scored six runs, drove in three, and went a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts.

Calista Stahlhut, P/1B
Stahlhut went 2-0 in the circle with a 0.60 ERA, logging 11.2 innings and eight strikeouts. She also contributed at the plate, batting .500 with a double and an RBI.

Emme Steward, 3B
Steward had a dominant weekend offensively, batting .889 with eight hits, six runs scored, seven RBIs, and a home run across four games. She delivered multiple clutch hits in both Friday wins. 

Rebecca Neupauer, OF
Neupauer hit .600, scored three runs, and stole two bases, consistently setting the table and providing steady defense in the outfield.

Bailey Masching, SS
Masching batted .364 with four hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored, adding timely offense and solid infield defense throughout the tournament.

Up Next
UIS returns to action next week, hosting the Capital City McDonald's Classic at the Springfield Clinic Dome on Feb. 19-20.