There's a familiar buzz in the air around UIS Baseball Fields this week—and it's not just the crack of the bat. The Prairie Stars are back in the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since 2023, and they've earned the right to host the entire Midwest Regional right here in Springfield.
Seeded No. 2 in the bracket, UIS (34-18) kicks off the double-elimination tournament on Thursday, May 14 at 11 a.m. against No. 7 Indianapolis (33-21). It's a matchup that pits the Stars' explosive offense against a hungry Greyhounds squad looking to play spoiler on the road. The other side of the regional features No. 3 Wayne State (37-14) taking on No. 6 Missouri St. Louis (33-20)—both teams capable of making a deep run.
The action runs Thursday through Saturday with games at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and if needed, a Sunday morning finale at 11 a.m. The winner of this bracket moves on to a best-of-three super regional series, with a trip to the NCAA finals on the line. No. 1 seed Grand Valley State (44-8) is hosting the other Midwest Regional, so the path to the championship is clear—but far from easy.
This isn't just any tournament appearance for the Prairie Stars. It's their sixth trip to the NCAA D2 tournament, and the first time they've been selected as a host. The team earned that privilege with a strong regular season and a GLVC tournament run that saw them trounce No. 8 Rockhurst 20-1 before falling to No. 4 Drury 8-5. Meanwhile, UMSL claimed the GLVC title on Saturday, May 9, beating Missouri S&T 13-8.
For fans, this is the kind of weekend that makes college baseball special. Tickets are available for purchase, and all games can be streamed on NCAA.com. It's a ticketed, credentialed event, so plan ahead if you want to catch the action in person.
Leading the charge for UIS is a trio of all-GLVC first team selections under head coach Chris Rodriguez. Junior outfielder Tommy Atkinson is hitting .385 with a team-best 79 hits, 58 RBIs, and 12 home runs. Senior outfielder Corey Boyette matches that .385 average with 72 hits and 15 homers of his own. And then there's junior designated hitter Kaden Griffitts, a local product from Williamsville, who carries a .376 average with 71 hits, 15 home runs, and a team-high 71 RBIs. Together, they form the heart of a lineup that can change the game with one swing.
Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a great spring weekend outing, UIS is the place to be. The Prairie Stars are back on the national stage, and they're playing for keeps.