UIS baseball returns home this weekend for a pivotal GLVC series against the Maryville Saints.
Due to forecasted storms in the evening, Friday's series opener has been moved up to 2:00 p.m. With no evening contest scheduled, Saturday's doubleheader will begin at noon at the UIS Baseball Field. Sunday's series finale remains scheduled for noon. The latest schedule updates can be found on the UIS baseball schedule page.
UIS (26-12, 14-6 GLVC) looks to rebound after a challenging weekend on the road against defending conference champion Missouri S&T. While the Prairie Stars were swept in the four-game series, the results included two one-run extra-inning losses. UIS will aim to return to form at home where it holds a record of 10-3.
Offensively, the Prairie Stars have been among the GLVC's most productive teams all season. UIS leads the league in home runs and also sits at or near the top in RBIs, total bases, and slugging percentage, with a lineup that can create runs in multiple ways. Corey Boyette, Kaden Griffitts, and Tommy Atkinson have paced the offense with strong averages and power numbers, while contributors throughout the lineup have added depth with plate discipline and timely hitting.
On the mound, UIS has also put together solid performances, carrying the best ERA in the conference while ranking near the top in strikeouts with 304 in 38 games. Graham Kasey provided a bright spot last weekend with a five-inning, one-run start, and Zane Danielson delivered an extended relief appearance in the series opener, striking out six over 4.2 innings.
Maryville (22-15, 16-4 GLVC) enters the weekend as one of the top teams in the conference standings. The Saints won three of four games against the Lewis Flyers last weekend, though they were dealt a lopsided loss in the series finale. Earlier in conference play, Maryville opened strong, including sweeps of Upper Iowa and William Jewell.
Pitching has been a strength for Maryville, with multiple arms ranking among the GLVC leaders in opponent batting average. The Saints lead the conference with an opponent batting average of .237 and have posted a top-five ERA in the league. Offensively, they are led by Jace Burton and Jack Meyer, with Meyer leading the GLVC in doubles.
The matchup carries added significance in the regional picture, as UIS sits fourth in the latest Midwest Region rankings while Maryville is eighth. In the GLVC standings, the Prairie Stars currently trail Missouri S&T and Maryville, making this weekend an important opportunity to gain ground.
Friday's opener will take place at Robin Roberts Stadium, a historic Springfield venue that has hosted baseball for more than a century. The stadium is home of the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes, with which several Prairie Stars have competed in the Prospect League during their summer seasons. Admission is free and concessions will be available. UIS will also open its series with McKendree at Robin Roberts Stadium on the evening of April 30.
All games throughout the weekend will be streamed on the GLVC Sports Network, with live stats available online.
