For the second consecutive year, the Illinois State softball team claimed its ninth regular-season conference championship ending the season with a record of 30-15 overall, 21-4 in the MVC, behind Corey Harris three-hitter and Jamie Bagnalls two doubles on Saturday, splitting with Southwest Missouri State, 1-3, 7-3.
After defeating SMS 9-1 on Friday afternoon, the Redbirds clinched Illinois States 108 conference championship over the past 20 years and boosted head coach Melinda Fischers record at Illinois State to 546-384-2, and a career record of 576-401-2, maintaining her spot as the winningest coach in the Valley.
This team has really grown so much, said Fischer. I look back to our first games in Florida and think how much weve improved. They have worked so hard for this and its shown through their work ethic and determination this season.
The Redbirds rallied for eight hits in just two innings of game two sliding by the Bears 7-3. For the second day in a row, Kate Stake and Bagnall recorded good marks at the plate combining for three doubles, two sacrifices and four RBI. Junior Abbie Scott also added to the collection of Redbird hits ripping her 11th double of the season.
I thought we had some good hits in both games, said Fischer. The difference was in the second game we hit some good spots.
Harris, now 9-9 overall, 7-2 in conference, took the victory for the Birds earning her fourth consecutive win. Jessica Davis took the loss for SMS.
In game one, the Birds combined for only six hits off of SMS pitcher, Tauni Kennemer. The Bears managed to grab five hits off of junior Audra Rast who took the loss for the Birds. Rast is now 21-4, 14-2 in conference action, as shell help to lead the Birds into the Missouri Valley Conference tournament May 9-12 in Normal, Ill., at the Redbird Softball Complex.
Illinois State will play at noon on Thursday, May 9, against the sixth seed in conference which has not yet been determined.
