For the first time since November, the Illinois State softball team will have the chance to play on grass and dirt. On Friday, the Redbirds open the 2004 season against Auburn at 1 p.m. in the Diamond Fun & Sun Classic hosted by Florida International in Miami, Fla.
After practicing inside Horton Field House for nearly 10 weeks, head coach
Melinda Fischer and her team are anxious to get outside and start the season.
Were excited to get outside and see what kind of progress weve made since the fall season ended, Fischer said. Weve been able to scrimmage in Horton, but well really be able to learn a lot about our team this weekend. We hope to answer some questions about the positions that were vacated by players that graduated, especially in the circle, behind the plate and at first base.
The Redbirds return 13 letterwinners from last years squad that won the regular season Missouri Valley Conference title. But they will have a lot to make up for in the circle as Corey Harris and two-time Valley Pitcher of the Year Audra Rast were lost to graduation. The pitching staff this season consists of four underclassmen.
The 2003 Redbirds, regular season Missouri Valley Conference champions, finished 29-23. This season, the Birds return juniors Lauren Bierwirth and Kate Stake who were All-Valley selections a year ago. Seven freshmen join the nine upperclassmen on this seasons roster.
2004 marks the third consecutive year that Illinois State has participated in the Diamond Fun & Sun Classic. The Birds are a combined 3-7 in the tournament. Following the Auburn contest, ISU will face the host team at 6 p.m. on Friday. Then the Redbirds will take on Kentucky on Saturday at 9 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. contest against Florida A&M. All times are CST.
Auburn is coming off a 26-31 season that saw the Tigers tie for third in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Illinois State and Auburn will meet for the first time. Host Florida International holds a 4-0 advantage over the Redbirds. The Golden Panthers were 37-27 in 2003, finishing second in the Sun Belt Conference. The Kentucky Wildcats compiled 16 wins and 40 losses last season, and finished fifth in the SECs East Division. The Birds are 3-1 against the Wildcats. Florida A&M went 30-27 last season and 10-5 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Illinois State leads that series, 3-0. Bracket play will take place on Sunday.
Illinois State softball has enjoyed an abundance of success over the years, becoming one of the most successful athletic programs in university history. In the past four seasons, the Redbird softball team has won three regular season conference titles and two Valley Tournament crowns on its way to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances. Redbirds also earned MVP honors in three of the last four Valley Tournaments and during the last two regular seasons. Last season, Fischer joined the coaching elite by earning her 600th career win, becoming just the 25th college softball coach to do so. Her career record is 610-427-2.
