The Illinois Springfield softball team split a Saturday doubleheader against Drury at Thompson Field, falling 5-0 in the opener before bouncing back with a 12-11 victory in game two. UIS now stands at 22-10 overall and 6-4 in GLVC play, while Drury moved to 15-16 overall and 5-5 in conference action.

GAME ONE | L, 5-0
Drury struck first in the opening inning, using a bases-loaded walk to take a 1-0 lead.

The Panthers added to their advantage in the third with a single, double, and RBI single that pushed the score to 3-0. Drury added two more runs in the sixth inning on a home run to center field and an RBI single to complete the 5-0 final.

Despite the loss, UIS played clean defense without errors and turned one double play.

Rebecca Neupauer recorded two hits and stole a base, while Olivia DeLuca had four assists at second base. Rosie Bartletti pitched three innings and struck out four batters, allowing three runs. Alexis Carroll closed out the final three innings, allowing two runs. 

"Drury played hard and we didn't get much going in our favor," said head coach Shannon Guthrie. "Rebecca had nice at bats each time at the plate but we didn't go much outside of that. The pitchers both gave it their best but we didn't produce to help them out offensively."

GAME TWO | W, 12-11
UIS came out swinging in game two, scoring four runs in the first inning. Rosie Bartletti bunted, stole second, and later scored on a fielder's choice by Bailey Masching. Calista Stahlhut added a two-run single, and Olivia DeLuca scored on another fielder's choice to give the Prairie Stars a 4-0 lead.

Bartletti again created offense in the second inning, walking, stealing second, and scoring on a Masching triple. Drury answered with two runs to cut the deficit to 5-2.

UIS broke the game open with a five-run third inning. Stahlhut doubled and later scored on a walk by Taylor Ford. Bartletti drove in another run on a fielder's choice, and Koral Keehner singled while a throwing error allowed two more runs to score, giving UIS a 10-4 advantage.

Drury fought back with four runs in the fourth inning to make it 10-8. UIS answered in the fifth when Neupauer scored on a sacrifice fly by Keehner, but Drury added two more runs to trim the UIS lead to 11-10.

After a scoreless sixth inning, UIS added an important insurance run in the seventh. Bartletti reached on an error and later scored on Keehner's second sacrifice fly of the game.

Drury scored one unearned run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Prairie Stars held on for the 12-11 victory as Bartletti struck out the final two Panthers she faced.

In the circle, Calista Stahlhut worked the first 3 2/3 innings before Alexis Carroll followed in relief. Rosie Bartletti earned the win after delivering 2 2/3 strong innings to close the game, allowing just two hits and one unearned run while striking out five. Bartletti retired eight of the 11 batters she faced and did not issue a walk, helping UIS hold on late after Drury's comeback attempt.

Bartletti scored four runs, stole three bases, and added five assists defensively. Masching finished with two hits, including a triple, while driving in three runs. Keehner had two RBIs, and Stahlhut added two hits, a double, and two RBIs.

"I was really excited to see us push the first game aside and come out on the attack," said Guthrie. "Rosie led us off and used her and Rebecca's speed combined with Bailey's power to get us going early. The offense had great bats with Bailey leading the way and Koral contributing as well in the four spot. Chloe and Calista also had multiple great at bats and we used some heads up base running to lead us. The pitchers on both sides struggled to find the zone, but ultimately Rosie came in and was able to shut the door for us."

Up Next
UIS will continue its road trip with a doubleheader against Missouri S&T on Sunday at noon.

"We're excited to get another opportunity tomorrow to pick up where we finished," Guthrie added. "We know S&T will be another tough GLVC opponent and we want to come out and play solid Prairie Star softball for two games."