Illinois State's softball team hopes to end a three-game skid when it hosts Northern Iowa this weekend in Missouri Valley Conference action at the Redbird Softball Complex. The three-game series, the final home stand, begins with a doubleheader at noon Saturday, then concludes at noon Sunday following the Senior Day ceremony.
The Redbirds (26-16, 14-3) lost two MVC matches to Evansville last weekend and a non-conference game at Western Illinois Wednesday. All three defeats were decided by one run with the two at Evansville taking extra innings. Northern Iowa lost a single Valley game to Bradley on Wednesday and will bring a 22-27, 11-10 record to Normal.
Northern Iowa has had some competitive games, but then again all the Valley games have been that way this season, ISU head coach
Melinda Fischer said. It is a big weekend, especially being at home and it being senior day. Hopefully this team will take care of what it needs to.
Last season, Illinois State took three games from Northern Iowa including a 7-2 and 4-2 decision at home before facing the Panthers at the conference tournament. In the middle of an eight-game win streak, the Birds pounded the Panthers at the Valley Tournament, 9-1, before capturing the title en route to their third NCAA appearance.
Fischer said with the recognition of the seniors and wrapping up the home season, this weekend will be a tough one in terms of focusing on the task at hand.
There are other things that will take place such as senior day and finishing up our games at home, Fischer said. But this weekend will be our chance because we are playing for a trip to the tournament and a high seed in the tournament and so is Northern Iowa.
It will be good for the seniors, for us to honor them and tell them how their leadership and contributions have gone above and beyond the playing field, Fischer continued. With April (Schermann) and Bridget (Fournie) we have four-year starters and Nicole (Kurth) has come into this program doing everything we have asked of her so I just hope to honor them by playing some good ballgames and securing our chances of getting to Omaha.
Fournie, Kurth and Schermann are Illinois States three seniors who will be honored before the single game on Sunday.
