March 13, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
On paper the 2006 versions of the Illinois State and Illinois softball teams, which will square off at Redbird Softball Complex on Tuesday at 4 p.m., couldn't be more alike. But the statistical similarities between the two teams this season don't account for the differences in the histories of the two programs.
While the Fighting Illini softball program has only been around since 2000, the Redbirds have been competing in softball since the late 1930s. However, ISU head coach Melinda Fischer isn't concerned with the past.
"We're looking at this game as a total tune-up for the conference season," Fischer said. "Illinois is a good team. They can hit for power, they've got good speed and solid pitching even though their record doesn't bear that out at this point. We saw them early in the fall, so we're familiar with them but all teams make adjustments between the fall and the spring season. We just need to go out and play like we did in most of our games last weekend."
Last season, ISU also opened its home slate against the Fighting Illini. However, the `Birds are hoping for a better outcome than last year's 4-3 loss. Illinois State (11-7) will look to cut into the Illini's 4-1 lead in the all-time series, while also trying to get off on the right foot at Redbird Softball Complex after a 9-8 record at the facility last season. Illinois comes to Normal with a 7-10 record in 2006.
