Seventy nine.
That is how many days passed between the first day of the season and the first time the University of Springfield softball team practiced on its home diamond. All sorts of weather — cold, snow and rain — have kept the Prairie Stars from practicing outdoors since the season began in mid-January.
After routinely practicing at an indoor facility or on concrete, UIS players and coach Mat Mundell finally practiced Wednesday on their home field at the Land of Lincoln Junior Olympic Softball Complex. They couldn’t have been happier, especially with 3½ weeks left in the regular season.
“Seventeen inches of snow kind of put a damper on practice,” UIS first baseman Brooke Carroll said. “We haven’t been able to realistically practice bunts and things like that.”
In spite of the crummy weather, UIS has played 28 games.
“I think it has put us as at a disadvantage a little bit this winter,” Mundell said. “Defensively, we haven’t been as sharp as last year. Our defensive play has showed that we’ve been stuck inside. Now that April is here hopefully it will get better.”
The Stars are fourth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with a 7-6 record. UIS takes a 13-15 overall record, which includes victories over nationally ranked Central Oklahoma and Fort Hays, into a home doubleheader today against Maryville.
The softball team was featured by The State Journal-Register on April 4, 2013.
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