After coming off an 8-0 mid-week victory over Indiana State, head coach
Melinda Fischer and the Illinois State softball team (No. 1 in the Valley, 17-3) are ready to step up the Missouri Valley Conference softball action, as they host Southern Illinois (No. 2 in the Valley, 15-4) for a competitive weekend at the Redbird Softball Complex, beginning with a noon doubleheader on Saturday, and concluding with a single game on Sunday, beginning at noon.
Illinois State (26-18) leads the overall series against Southern Illinois, 45-33. However, the Salukis (32-8) are currently ranked No. 26 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I Softball Poll, and have non-conference wins over Alabama (previously ranked No. 22) and Nebraska (then ranked No. 6).
Fischer praised Southern Illinoiss play thus far this season.
Southern Illinois has had a fantastic year, said Fischer. They had some tough out-of-conference scheduling and won when they needed to. Their scheduling and competitive play has helped the Missouri Valley Conference nationally.
Although Redbird pitcher Audra Rast leads the Valley in strikeouts with 218, the Saluki pitching staff leads the Valley with a 1.00 ERA through 38 games, just ahead of the Birds with a 1.54 ERA through 43 games. Southern Illinois is second in the Valley in batting (.265) and Illinois State is sixth (.242).
With only two Valley series remaining for Illinois State, this weekend against SIU and next weekend against Southwest Missouri State, Fischer knows what the Redbirds have to do to finish strong.
We just need to go out there, play our game, do what we do and do it well, said Fischer. This is a very exciting time for Valley softball.
--##--
