The Illinois Springfield softball team split its doubleheader against Lincoln on Sunday, improving to 22-13 overall and 10-6 in GLVC play. Game one was a milestone victory for head coach Shannon Guthrie, securing her 300th career win. Starting pitcher Rosie Bartletti added to the memorable day by throwing a perfect game in the 10-0 run-rule win. Despite a strong performance from Taylor Zawacki in game two, the Prairie Stars fell 1-0 in extra innings.
GAME ONE | W, 10-0
- Taylor Zawacki led off with a triple, followed by Malia Bender reaching on an error. The Prairie Stars quickly capitalized, with the first run scoring on a double steal. Bartletti set the tone early in the circle, striking out two of three batters in the first inning.
- UIS extended its lead in the third inning. Zawacki doubled, Ella Brinkley singled, and Bender reached on another error, allowing two runs to score. Koral Keehner followed with a double to plate Bender, giving UIS a 4-0 advantage.
- Addyson McClure opened the fourth inning with a solo home run, making it 5-0. By the end of the fifth, Bartletti was still perfect, recording eight strikeouts and holding Lincoln hitless.
- The Prairie Stars added five more runs in the sixth. Bartletti led off with a triple, followed by a McClure single to drive her in. Bailey Masching doubled to score McClure, and pinch runner Rebecca Neupauer crossed the plate when Zawacki homered, putting UIS up 9-0. Isabella Wilson singled before Keehner tripled to cap off the scoring at 10-0.
- Rosie Bartletti (12-5) sealed her perfect game by retiring the side in the bottom of the sixth. She struck out eight and did not allow a baserunner, securing a dominant run-rule victory. The UIS offense was equally impressive, recording three doubles, three triples, and two home runs.
- Zawacki came up just short of hitting for the cycle, collecting a triple, double, and home run in the six-inning run-rule win.
GAME TWO | L, 1-0 (8 Innings)
- Lincoln threatened early in the first inning with a single, a stolen base, and another single to advance the runner to third. However, Taylor Zawacki and Koral Keehner combined to cut down the runner at home, and Zawacki ended the inning with her second strikeout.
- The Prairie Stars strung together three singles in the second, but their best chance to score was thwarted when a runner was picked off. Zawacki retired the side in the bottom half, pushing her strikeout total to five. Both teams continued to rely on strong pitching and solid defense, with quick innings in the third and fourth.
- In the sixth, Zawacki led off with a double, followed by Ella Brinkley reaching on a fielder's choice that put Zawacki out at third. Brinkley was later called out for interference on a steal attempt. Zawacki responded with a dominant bottom half, striking out all three Lincoln batters.
- UIS was retired in order in the seventh, while Lincoln's starting pitcher exited after 7.1 innings, allowing no runs and retiring 10 consecutive batters at one point.
- With the game still scoreless through eight innings, UIS was unable to capitalize on its offense, hitting into a double play in the top of the frame. Lincoln then capitalized in the bottom half with an RBI double following a single and a fielder's choice, securing the 1-0 walk-off win.
- Taylor Zawacki went 7.1 innings, striking out 12 while allowing one run on seven hits, dropping to 3-4 on the season. She also went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a double.
Head Coach Shannon Guthrie's 200th career win was also marked by a no-hitter, achieved against Division II opponent Minnesota State Moorhead in 2022. The last recorded perfect game for the UIS softball program came in 2016, when Jaycee Craver threw a perfect game against Division III Blackburn. Rosie Bartletti's perfect game against Lincoln is likely the first perfect game in program history against a Division II opponent and came in a conference game against a GLVC opponent.
Up Next
UIS softball returns to its home field next weekend to host McKendree on Saturday and Maryville on Sunday.