When the Redbird softball team hosts Northern Illinois in a non-conference match-up Wednesday, both teams will be looking to get back in the win column. The Huskies have won just two of their last 12 games, while the Birds are in a similar situation having won four of their last 14.
After back-to-back losses to Marshall, NIUs Mid-American Conference series at Toledo last weekend was cancelled due to rain and snow showers. Meanwhile, Illinois State (25-17) is coming off one of the most difficult weekends of the season. The Redbirds compiled a total of seven hits in three losses at Missouri Valley Conference rival Wichita State last weekend.
The Huskies (20-21) have already faced one Valley foe this season, Indiana State, who it defeated twice. Sophomore infielder Ellen Stoddard leads the Huskie offense with a .333 average. Meanwhile, Loyola-Chicago junior transfer Lindsey LaChiana handles the majority of the pitching duties. She has compiled a 1.69 ERA en route to a 12-11 record and 125 strikeouts. NIU is 31-55 all-time against Melinda Fischers Redbirds.
Last season ISU downed the Huskies 5-4 in eight innings in DeKalb. The score went back and forth with each team countering after the opponent scored. With the score tied at 4-4 in the top of the eighth, Randi Patton led off with a home run to right field. Northern Illinois got the tying run on base with one out in its half of the eighth, but the runner was stranded at second following a sacrifice bunt and a groundout. Both teams had nine hits in the contest.
Illinois State has just three home games remaining after its 5 p.m. match-up with the Huskies on Wednesday at Redbird Softball Complex. The Birds host Northern Iowa for a three-game conference series this weekend. Six players will be honored during Senior Day festivities on Sunday.
