As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the Prairie Stars' Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one student-athlete, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.

This week, UIS recognizes Zion Pettigrew as one of the 15 standout student-athletes who helped define the Prairie Stars' Division II era. One of the most dominant hitters in program history, Pettigrew transformed the Prairie Stars' offensive identity while helping lead UIS baseball to its most successful stretch ever.

Pettigrew joined the Prairie Stars as a transfer from Kirkwood Community College and made an immediate impact during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Appearing in 13 games, he ranked among the NCAA Division II national leaders in several offensive categories, including hits per game, home runs per game, and runs per game. Within the Great Lakes Valley Conference, he led the league in hits per game and home runs per game while finishing among the conference leaders in slugging percentage and batting average. He ended the year with a team-leading .426 batting average and .741 slugging percentage.

The 2021 season marked Pettigrew's breakout campaign and established him as one of the premier hitters in NCAA Division II baseball. Playing in 38 games and starting each contest, he set UIS single-season records in batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage while producing 66 hits, 17 home runs, 55 RBI, and 141 total bases.

Nationally, Pettigrew finished second in Division II in slugging percentage and ranked inside the top 10 in batting average, home runs per game, and hits per game. He earned First-Team All-American honors from multiple organizations, along with GLVC Player of the Year and Midwest Region Player of the Year recognition.

The 2022 season capped both Pettigrew's career and one of the most accomplished years in program history. The Prairie Stars finished 48-11 overall while winning the GLVC regular-season and tournament championships and advancing to the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament for the first time.

The Prairie Stars went 4-0 in the GLVC Tournament, outscoring opponents 47-11, and defeated Quincy 16-3 in the championship game to claim the program's first conference tournament title and the university's first GLVC championship in any sport since joining the league.

Pettigrew was a driving force during the championship run, leading NCAA Division II with 95 RBI and ranking among national leaders in walks, hits, doubles, home runs, and total bases. He became the first player in GLVC history to win back-to-back Player of the Year honors and finished postseason play batting .460 with six home runs and 17 RBI across 12 tournament games.

Over his career, Pettigrew played in 110 games and recorded 183 hits, 50 home runs, and 168 RBI while batting .428 with an .893 slugging percentage and .522 on-base percentage. He remains the program's all-time leader in batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage and ranks among UIS career leaders in several major offensive categories.

Pettigrew was named UIS Male Athlete of the Year and later signed a professional contract with the Washington Nationals organization.

Explore the growing list of NCAA Division II 15 Years Anniversary honorees celebrating the legacy of Prairie Stars Athletics. The 2022 baseball team was previously recognized in this series; read more.