Prairie Stars Shut Out by No. 19 McKendree

UIS softball team suffers two losses against nationally-ranked opponent

Apr. 20, 2026 at 8:04am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a softball game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange intersecting to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of the Prairie Stars' struggles against a nationally-ranked opponent, capturing the fragmented nature of their performance.Springfield Today

The Illinois Springfield softball team faced off against No. 19 ranked McKendree University on Sunday, suffering two shutout losses with final scores of 4-0 and 7-0. Despite strong defensive efforts, the Prairie Stars were unable to capitalize on their limited offensive opportunities, managing just a combined six hits across the two games.

Why it matters

This series loss against a highly ranked conference opponent is a setback for the Prairie Stars, who were looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. The team's record now stands at 28-16 overall and 12-10 in conference play, making their path to the postseason more challenging.

The details

In the first game, UIS pitcher Calista Stahlhut kept the Bearcats at bay for five innings before McKendree broke through with a four-run sixth inning, including a three-run homer. UIS managed just two hits in the game. In the second contest, McKendree took a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning and added three more runs in the sixth to seal the victory. Rosie Bartletti and Alexis Carroll shared pitching duties for UIS.

  • The doubleheader took place on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
  • UIS has just one doubleheader remaining next weekend, with first pitch set for 11:00 a.m. CT.

The players

Rebecca Neupauer

A UIS player who reached base on an error and stole second in the first game.

Rachel McMullen

A UIS player who recorded a hit in the third inning of the first game.

Laynee Tapp

A McKendree player who reached base and contributed to a four-run sixth inning in the first game.

Jasmine Myers

A McKendree player who reached base and contributed to a four-run sixth inning in the first game.

Bailey Masching

A UIS player who singled in the seventh inning of the first game.

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What’s next

UIS has just one doubleheader remaining next weekend, with first pitch set for 11:00 a.m. CT.

The takeaway

The Prairie Stars' struggles against the nationally-ranked Bearcats highlight the need for the team to improve their offensive production and execution in key moments if they hope to secure a postseason berth. The final regular season games will be crucial for UIS to regain their footing and build momentum heading into the conference tournament.