Illinois State (30-15-1, 15-6) will travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa to take on Northern Iowa (13-29, 7-12) this weekend in its final road conference series before hosting Evansville next week. The Birds will play a doubleheader at noon on Saturday, with the final game to be played on Sunday at noon.
Head coach
Melinda Fischer feels that her team will really need to focus on the task at hand this weekend.
This weekend is not different than any other weekend, Fischer said. We have to be prepared for each inning of every ball game. Well really have to regain our focus since this has been such a crazy week with the end of classes.
The Redbirds, who are on a six-game winning streak and currently sit atop the Valley standings, got there by taking three games from then No. 1 Wichita State last weekend. UNI is a team that is trying to play its way into the conference tournament. ISU is 44-9-1 all-time against the Panthers, who take on Bradley today at home. Northern Iowa, which is coming off a three-game sweep of Valley foe Indiana State last weekend, has only played seven games at home this season. It is 2-5 in those games.
Last season, Northern Iowa was the first conference opponent the Birds faced, and they took all three games from UNI by a combined score of 12-6. Illinois States last loss to Northern Iowa was in the opening game of the 2002 Valley Tournament, 2-1. But the Birds came back downed the Panthers two games later, 3-2. ISU had beaten the Panthers 8-1 and 6-1 during the regular season.
Common foes this season include Kentucky, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana State, Bradley, Creighton, Wichita State SMS and Southern Illinois. Northern Iowa is 6-14 against those teams, while ISU is 13-9. The Redbirds third game of the season against Kentucky was cancelled in the middle of the third inning due to inclement weather. UNI has proven itself to be a dangerous team, having taken one game apiece from Creighton and Wichita State.
Cedar Rapids natives Erin Strellner (.295) and Melissa King (.241) lead the Panther offense, while seniors Julie Phillips (4-9, 2.66 ERA), Julie Gerdes (4-11, 3.00 ERA) and Malinda McClintock (5-9, 3.12 ERA) anchor UNI in the circle.
