The Illinois State softball team was picked to finish second place behind the Creighton Bluejays in the MVC preseason softball coaches poll, while seniors Cutie Taylor and Jamie Bagnall both claimed spots on the 2002 preseason All-Valley Softball team.
Last year, after battling for 12 innings in the Valley championship game, the Redbirds took a 4-3 victory over the Bluejays to claim both the regular-season and tournament championshisp, rewarding them with a spot in the NCAA regional tournament in Iowa City, Iowa.
Taylor, who was also named to the 2001 All-Valley team, was chosen as a first -team outfielder in this seasons polls after compiling a .333 batting average last season. Bagnall was selected as an All-Valley first baseman in the preseason poll after her 2001 selection to the Valley All-Tournament team.
Illinois State began regular-season play February 1- 3 at the Fun in the Sun Classic hosted by Florida International in Miami, Fla., where they posted a 1-4 record.
The Redbirds travel to Tempe, Ariz., on February 15-17 to compete in the Louisville Slugger Classic hosted by Arizona State. Iowa (6), Michigan State, Arizona State (8) and Oklahoma State will also be participating in the tournament.
