The UIS softball team (25-11, 9-5) had a strong showing in its doubleheader against William Jewell (15-21, 6-8) on Friday, securing a 5-2 victory in the first game followed by a decisive 7-0 win in the second.
GAME ONE | W, 5-2
UIS capitalized on early scoring and solid defense to open the day. In the first inning,
Rosie Bartletti walked and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Rebecca Neupauer was hit by a pitch and later advanced to third.
Bailey Masching's sacrifice fly allowed Bartletti to score, followed by
Koral Keehner's groundout that brought Neupauer home. The Prairie Stars led 2-0 after the first inning.
In the fourth,
Emme Steward scored on a fielder's choice after being hit by a pitch and advancing on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 3-1 due in part to an error by William Jewell's third baseman. The fifth inning saw
Bailey Masching score on
Koral Keehner's double, further increasing the lead to 4-1.
Rosie Bartletti added a solo shot in the seventh inning, making it 5-1. WJC plated a run in the seventh on a groundout.
Calista Stahlhut delivered a complete-game performance, pitching seven innings and allowing just four hits and two earned runs. She struck out eight batters and walked three. This outing marked her 10th win of the season, improving her record to 10-4. Bartletti made a substantial impact by scoring two runs, one of them a home run, while Keehner added two RBIs and a double.
GAME TWO | W, 7-0
UIS showcased a robust offensive performance with 13 hits, including two home runs.
Koral Keehner hit a home run to left field in the second inning, setting the tone for the Prairie Stars.
Olivia DeLuca and
Chloe Scroggins reached base, allowing
Hailey Niebrugge to deliver an RBI single.
Rosie Bartletti's walk contributed to a four-run inning, ending the second with a score of 4-0.
Emme Steward extended the lead in the third inning with a solo home run to center field, increasing the advantage to 5-0. In the sixth inning, DeLuca singled and advanced, allowing Niebrugge to drive her in with another single.
Sidney Sawyer followed with an RBI single, and Niebrugge scored on a throw, adding two more runs to make it 7-0 after six innings.
Alexis Carroll (7-1) delivered a standout shutout performance, allowing only three hits over seven innings and striking out four batters. Bartletti recorded two hits and one RBI, while also stealing two bases. Keehner and Steward each contributed home runs.
Overall, UIS displayed strong offensive depth and solid pitching, dominating its opponent throughout the doubleheader.
Up Next
UIS will return to its home field on Saturday, April 11, to host the Lincoln Blue Tigers.
