The Illinois State softball team started its trip to Australia off right with two wins over the New South Wales 19 state team on January 1. The Birds traveled to Australia on December 28, 2004 to play ten games against some of the best teams in Australia in preparation for the 2005 season.
ISU started its trip in Sydney at Olympic Park, where the 2000 Summer Olympics were held. The Redbirds opened their tour Down Under with a 5-0 win over the New South Wales 19 state team. Sophomore Shannon Nicholson pitched the complete game shutout, allowing three hits, three walks and striking out five. Senior Dominique Borba led the Redbirds offensively with an inside the park home run and four RBI. Senior tri-captain Kate State and sophomore Jackie Williams both went two-for-four.
The Birds also took game two of the doubleheader, 7-2. Reigning Missouri Valley Conference Rookie of the Year Stacy Birk pitched a complete game allowing two runs on two hits and two walks and tossing five strikeouts. Illinois States four hits came from four different players.
The New South Wales 19 state team has been national champions the past several years, Redbird head coach
Melinda Fischer said. They are a good teamvery competitive. We played well and it was really nice to finally get some game action against someone other than ourselves.
Sunday, the Birds traveled to Brisbane, where they will complete their tour of Australia with eight contests in six days against teams from Queensland. In addition to competing on the field, the Redbirds will be traveling to some of the most well known landmarks Australia has to offer, including the Opera House, Darling Harbor, Harbor Bridge and Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
The Birds will return to the U.S. on January 11. Illinois State opens the 2005 season in Miami, Fla. at the Diamond Fun & Sun Classic on Feb. 4 against Auburn at 11 a.m. CST.
