The Illinois State softball team will swing into action this weekend by hosting its annual fall tournament at Redbird Softball Complex. Illinois Central College, Indiana State and Saint Xavier complete the field of four.
Redbird head coach
Melinda Fischer is especially anxious to see what her new players can contribute.
Im really excited to see what our new players can do, Fischer said. It will be great to see how well they have caught on to the things that we do in our program. They seem to have caught on pretty quickly, but you can never really tell until theyre in a game situation.
Illinois State heads into the fall season with 17 returning players, including seven starters from the 2004 season, on its roster in addition to seven newcomers. Returnees include seven seniors, four juniors and six sophomores. The team captains are seniors Lauren Bierwirth, Mandy Garner and Kate Stake.
Kate, Lauren and Mandy really need to take charge of the team now, Fischer said. They need to develop the younger players into the type of players that we need on this team. I expect great leadership from each of them both on and off the field.
Right now its a crazy time of year, and the captains need to step up and help the new players balance all the things that can go on in a student-athletes life, Fischer added. Balance is the key and these captains seem to have mastered that.
The Birds kick off the tournament with a 10 a.m. match-up against Illinois Central College. Then they will face Indiana State at 2 p.m., before wrapping up the first day of play with an 8 p.m. contest against Saint Xavier.
On Sunday, Illinois State will be split up into a red team and a white team. The white team will take on Saint Xavier at 10 a.m., while the red team will go head-to-head with Illinois Central College at noon.
ISU Fall Tournament Schedule
Saturday, September 11
Game 1 - Illinois State vs. ICC
Game 2 - Saint Xavier vs. Indiana State
Game 3 - Illinois State vs. Indiana State
Game 4 - ICC vs. Saint Xavier
Game 5 - Indiana State vs. ICC
Game 6 - Saint Xavier vs. Illinois State
Sunday, September 12
Game 7 - Illinois State White vs. Saint Xavier
Game 8 - ICC vs. Illinois State Red
Game 9 - Game 7 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser
Game 10 - Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner
