After an impressive showing at the Alabama Tournament, the Illinois State softball team (3-2) will look for more wins when it travels to Tempe, Ariz., this weekend to play in the 2001 Louisville Slugger Classic hosted by No. 6 Arizona State.
Besides the Redbirds and Sun Devils, other teams participating in the tournament include Iowa, Michigan State and Brigham Young. While the Spartans of MSU and Iowa have not played this season, ASU is 5-1 and BYU is 1-3 after one weekend of competition.
According to head coach
Melinda Fischer, playing in the Alabama Tournament prepared her team for another tough competition this weekend in Arizona.
I think we all have the same feeling, wanting to get back out there and continue where we left off last weekend, Fischer said. Our bats really came alive and the defense was strong. Becky McMurtry and April Schermann had great tournaments, getting multiple hits, and I think this team is still riding strong. There are some things we need to correct, but I think the desire is there to get back out and do things right.
McMurtry and Schermann, along with Nicole Kurth, were all named to the Alabama All-Tournament team. Schermann led the team with eights hits, batting .500 over the weekend while McMurtry hit two home runs (both against Alabama in the championship game) and cranked three doubles in the tournament.
Our hitting got progressively better as we played and hopefully we can continue to improve on that, Fischer continued. Right now though it is early in the season and we just hope to improve in every aspect of the game, every time we walk onto the field. We are just fortunate to be able to play right now.
ISU travels to Arizona on Thursday, Feb. 15, but doesnt play until Friday. Iowa is the Birds first opponent, facing off at 11 a.m. pacific time on the 16th. On Saturday, Feb. 17, ISU plays BYU at 9 a.m. and Michigan State at 11 a.m. On Sunday, Feb. 18, the Redbirds face Arizona State in a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m.
