Illinois Springfield (17-7, 1-1 GLVC) and Truman State (9-17, 1-1 GLVC) faced off in a conference doubleheader at the UIS Softball Field on Friday afternoon, resulting in a split for the teams. The Prairie Stars narrowly fell to the Bulldogs 3-2 in the first game but responded with a decisive 9-1 victory in the second.

GAME ONE | L, 3-2
In the opening game, UIS fell to TSU by a narrow margin of 3-2. The Prairie Stars managed three hits, including a home run, but Truman's two-run seventh inning secured the victory.

Rebecca Neupauer stole home after advancing to third on a wild pitch, giving the Prairie Stars an early lead of 1-0 at the end of the first inning.

Truman capitalized on errors in the fourth inning, as Emily Wood scored an unearned run on a throwing error, leveling the score at 1-1. Bailey Masching then put the Prairie Stars back in front with a solo home run to center field, making it 2-1 at the end of the fifth.

However, in the seventh inning, Truman earned a 3-2 lead on a two-run homer. UIS worked on a comeback but left two runners stranded. 

Calista Stahlhut delivered a complete game performance for the Prairie Stars, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out seven batters and walking two. Jaden Watts and Bailey Masching contributed the Prairie Stars only hits of game one; while Rebecca Neupauer had two stolen bases and one run scored.

"Bailey Masching had a great game at the plate with a double and a home run, and Rebecca Neupauer utilized her speed to carry our offense," said head coach Shannon Guthrie. "Truman battled all game and made the most of their opportunity in the seventh. I thought our team fought hard in the bottom of the inning and gave ourselves a good chance to come back when Jaden led off with a hit and we were able to move her into scoring position."

GAME TWO | W, 9-1
UIS bounced back in the second game with a decisive 9-1 victory. The Prairie Stars recorded 10 hits, including three doubles, while Rosie Bartletti allowed just one run over six innings.

UIS took an early lead in the first inning with contributions from Rebecca Neupauer and Rosie Bartletti. Neupauer walked and advanced to second before stealing third, while Bartletti was hit by a pitch and stole second. Bailey Masching's sacrifice fly brought Neupauer home, and Emme Steward's single scored Bartletti, giving the Prairie Stars a 2-0 lead after the first inning.

In the second inning, Bartletti singled to drive in Neupauer, who had walked earlier and advanced on the throw. Masching then hit another sacrifice fly, scoring Bartletti. Truman responded with one run, but UIS maintained a 4-1 lead at the end of the second.

The Prairie Stars extended their lead in the fifth inning when Taylor Ford walked and later scored on a single by Rachel McMullen, who also scored in the inning. Hailey Niebrugge contributed a single up the middle for a 7-1 lead.

In the sixth inning, Bartletti doubled, setting up Taylor Ford's RBI double, followed by Olivia DeLuca's single that brought home another run, increasing the advantage to 9-1.

Bartletti delivered a commanding performance in the circle, pitching a complete with just three hits and one earned run allowed. She struck out seven batters and walked one, effectively limiting Truman's offensive opportunities and improving her record to 7-2 for the season.

The Prairie Stars hold an overall record of 17-7 and are 1-1 in conference play, while Truman stands at 9-17 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

"I was happy to see us respond right away and put two runs on the board early," Guthrie said. "Rosie Bartletti pitched a great game, and the defense made some really nice plays on a very windy day to support her. It was fun to see so many people contribute to our offense. Rachel had a great game with two big hits, Jaden had another strong day at the plate, and Taylor had a huge double. I was happy to see us continue to score throughout the game and put pressure on their defense. We want to keep those at-bats rolling into tomorrow."

Up Next
UIS heads to Quincy on Saturday for a noon doubleheader against the Hawks in GLVC play.