“Our team played two great games today and went hard all 14 innings,” said head coach Shannon Guthrie. “I was so excited about the energy in the dugout and the effort on the field. The team played so well to open the first part of our home schedule, and it was nice to get 10 home games in during the month of February. We’ve never been able to host this early in the season, and this was huge for our program.”
GAME ONE | W, 5-0
Illinois Springfield (11-4) opened the day with a 5-0 victory behind a commanding outing from Calista Stahlhut, who allowed just two hits and struck out 12 in a complete-game shutout. She improved to 5-1 on the season.
UIS struck first in the second inning when Emme Steward walked and later advanced to third on a bunt single and an error. Sidney Sawyer brought her home on a fielder’s choice to give the Prairie Stars a 1-0 lead.
The offense broke through in the fourth. Olivia DeLuca and Steward opened the inning with singles, and Bailey Masching delivered a sacrifice fly to score DeLuca. Steward later crossed on a throwing error before Hailey Niebrugge doubled to continue the rally. Stahlhut capped the frame with a two-run double, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Stahlhut handled the rest from there, closing out the two-hit shutout. At the plate, she added a double and two RBIs. Masching finished with two hits and an RBI, while Steward scored twice. Sawyer added a hit, an RBI, and a stolen base.
“Calista had another outstanding start and led the way with a 12-strikeout performance, and she collected two RBIs of her own with a clutch double,” Guthrie added. “The defense played a great game and came out strong at every position. Hailey and Bailey were key contributors offensively and had great at-bats.”
GAME TWO | W, 7-0
UIS completed the sweep with a 7-0 win in game two, finishing the day without surrendering a run.
UIS jumped ahead early in the first. Rosie Bartletti walked and scored on a bunt single from Chloe Scroggins, who advanced on a throwing error. Olivia DeLuca followed with a single, and Scroggins later scored on a steal to make it 2-0.
The Prairie Stars capitalized on defensive miscues in the second. Stahlhut walked and came around to score, while Rebecca Neupauer also crossed the plate as UIS extended its lead to 4-0.
In the fifth, DeLuca walked and advanced on a wild pitch before Emme Steward singled. Bailey Masching delivered a run-scoring single for a 6-0 lead. Sidney Sawyer later scored on a wild pitch to cap the 7-0 margin.
Alexis Carroll was sharp in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts for her first win of the season.
Bailey Masching paced the offense with two hits.
“It was great to see Lexi go the distance for the second shutout of the day,” Guthrie said. “She really stepped up and had a great day in the circle, working well with Rachel behind the plate. Bailey again had a great game at the plate with some big hits. I was very impressed with our baserunning – taking extra bases and stealing five bases as well.”
Up Next
The Prairie Stars are off the rest of this week. They will compete next on March 6-7 at the Grand Slam Classic in Branson, Mo.
