NORMAL, Ill. – Holding the top spot in the MVC Standings, Illinois State hosts Missouri State for a three-game series on Saturday and Sunday at Marian Kneer Stadium, where admission is always free. The Redbirds hold a 14-3 league record, 24-17 overall. The Bears travel with a 22-16 overall record, 10-7 in Valley play.
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The Redbirds and Bears open the series with a noon doubleheader on Saturday. The series concludes Sunday at 11 a.m.
The Redbirds return to Marian Kneer Stadium following a pair of walk-off thrillers in Wednesday's doubleheader over Bradley and a sweep of Drake. Illinois State outscored Drake, 20-5 in Des Moines and Bradley, 15-6 in Normal. Jordan de los Reyes broke the ISU and MVC Career RBI Records while collecting 200 career hits. The senior currently ranks second in program history in home runs (49) and sixth in career hits (201).
Sarah Finck is 7-0 in her last eight appearances, including a one-hitter at Drake. Riley Strandgard logged multi-hit games in each contest to earn the MVC's Player of the Week and Scholar Athlete of the Week honors.
De los Reyes currently ranks third in program history in home runs (45) and second in RBIs (159). As of her junior year, she ranked third in slugging percentage (.619). Additionally, she is six hits shy of joining the 200+ hit club.
Scouting the Bears
The Bears continue their roadtrip, traveling to Normal for a three-game series. Missouri State owns MVC series wins over Bradley, Indiana State, and Loyola, while most recently falling 1-2 versus Evansville. Led by Erika Velasquez Zimr's .385 average, four Bears are batting over .300. Kaitlin Beason and Holly Kelley primarily split time in the circle throwing 124.2 and 97.0 innings, respectively.
Redbirds vs. Bears
Illinois State leads the all-time series versus Missouri State, 64-36. The Redbirds won the series opener, 8-0 in five with multi-RBI games by Strandgard and de los Reyes. The Bears prevailed in game two, 3-2 with the rubbermatch cancelled due to cold temperatures.
Up Next
Illinois State will play for the series sweep at Bradley on Tuesday at 4 p.m. before traveling to Evansville April 29-30.
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