Illinois State, the regular-season softball champions, will head into the Missouri Valley Conference tournament this weekend as host and the No. 1 seed. The Birds will play their first game against the No. 6 seed Panthers of Northern Iowa at noon on Thursday, May 9, at the Redbird Softball Complex.
Head coach
Melinda Fischer has led the Illinois State Redbird softball team to a 30-15 overall record and a 21-4 MVC record thus far this season bringing the Birds to their ninth consecutive Valley softball tournament.
Were looking to take the tournament one game at a time, said Fischer. I felt our focus throughout our last eight games was great along with our concentration level.
Our game tomorrow starts a whole new season and its important that were able to play for three days straight, added Fischer.
Two weeks ago, the Redbirds met with Northern Iowa sweeping them in two games, 9-1, 6-1. Illinois State pitching ace, Audra Rast, now 21-4 overall, hurled a three-hitter and allowed only one run in the effort.
Fischer feels that the leadership of her upperclassman will help to clinch a win over the Panthers on Thursday.
Cutie Taylor, who leads the Valley and the Redbirds in home runs, is posting a .389 batting average going into the tournament. Junior Abbie Scott will bring her outfield expertise and dominant hitting to the field as she has tallied 11 doubles this season. Rast and ShaeWesley will look to continue their skills from the mound and the plate, respectively, displaying an outstanding 14-2 conference record.
We really need to stay focused on the present, Fischer said. We need to be able to make adjustments and to remain consistent. Consistency, guts and perseverence will be key.
