UIS softball opened play at the GLVC Tournament on Wednesday with an 11-4 loss to McKendree at the EastSide Centre.
The Prairie Stars totaled 11 hits and built an early four-run lead, but McKendree (41-12) answered with a six-run third inning before adding five more runs in the sixth to secure the win in the double-elimination tournament opener.
UIS struck first in the top of the third inning.
Sidney Sawyer scored on an RBI single by
Bailey Masching before
Chloe Scroggins delivered a two-run double that brought home
Rosie Bartletti and
Rebecca Neupauer. The Prairie Stars pushed across four runs in the inning to take an early advantage.
McKendree responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. A grand slam highlighted the six-run frame for the Bearcats as McKendree moved in front 6-4.
The score remained unchanged until the sixth inning, when McKendree added five insurance runs, taking advantage of multiple hits and a UIS error to extend the lead to 11-4.
Bartletti took the loss in the circle after allowing five earned runs over two innings.
Calista Stahlhut pitched the final four innings, striking out three.
At the plate, Bartletti recorded three hits and scored a run. Scroggins finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Masching added an RBI hit. Stahlhut also contributed offensively with a hit and an RBI.
UIS will now face Maryville in an elimination game at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, with the winner advancing to a 4:00 p.m. game and the loser eliminated from the tournament.
Maryville (25-24) opened tournament play with a 5-4 loss to No. 2 seed Missouri S&T on Wednesday afternoon. The Saints and Prairie Stars split their regular-season doubleheader earlier this spring, with Maryville winning the opener 3-0 before UIS responded with a 4-1 victory in game two.
The Saints rely on a pitching staff led by Cora Boyle (3.09 ERA), Nora Johnson (3.01 ERA), and Mia Maxel (3.17 ERA). Maryville has four pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched and ERAs near or below 3.20 this season.
Fans can follow Thursday's elimination game on GLVCSN or cheer on the Prairie Stars in person at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
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