The Illinois Springfield softball team closed out the 2025 Springfield Invite in dominant fashion, securing a 7-0 victory over Purdue Northwest on Sunday. The win marked five straight victories for the Prairie Stars, who finished the tournament unbeaten and improved to 10-7 on the season.
Game Recap
- UIS started strong on defense, allowing just one hit in the first inning. In the bottom half, Taylor Zawacki drew a walk, Malia Bender was hit by a pitch, and Rosie Bartletti walked to load the bases. A passed ball allowed Zawacki to score the first run, and after two more walks, UIS added another run before Purdue Northwest made an early pitching change.
- The Prairie Stars' defense continued to shine in the second, quickly retiring the side. Addyson McClure reached base and scored shortly after, pushing the lead to 3-0.
- The Prairie Stars broke the game open in the fourth. Isabella Wilson led off with a bunt single, and Zawacki was hit by a pitch to put two on. Bender followed with an RBI single, then Bartletti laid down a bunt single to bring in another run. Sophie Rivera capped off the rally with an RBI double, giving UIS a 6-0 advantage.
- UIS added an insurance run in the sixth when Hailey Niebrugge drew a walk, and Rosie Bartletti entered as a pinch runner. Bartletti moved into scoring position and came around to score on Sophie Rivera's second RBI double of the game.
- The Prairie Stars' pitching staff delivered a combined shutout, limiting Purdue Northwest to just five hits while striking out six batters. Rosie Bartletti (4-3) earned the win, throwing two scoreless innings in relief while allowing just two hits and striking out two. Taylor Zawacki started the game and pitched three shutout innings, giving up only one hit. Alexis Carroll closed it out with two clean innings, striking out two and securing the team's third shutout of the season.
- Rivera finished with two doubles and two RBIs, Bender went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base, and Wilson, Bartletti, and McClure each contributed to the offense.
The Prairie Stars will begin conference play on Friday in Kirksville, Mo., facing Truman State. They will then return home on Sunday, March 9, to host Quincy in their first home conference doubleheader of the season.