March 31, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Another series in the storied Illinois State-Southern Illinois softball rivalry willl take place this weekend at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. The three-game series begins with a noon doubleheader on Saturday, followed by a contest at noon on Sunday to complete the series.
Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer, who personally experienced the rivalry as a member of the ISU softball team in the early 1970s, doesn't believe the younger members of her team have grasped the history of the rivalry just yet.
"Our younger players don't have any idea how big this series is," Fischer said, "but I don't think that's a bad thing. They don't understand the rivalry yet. We're approaching every game with the same mindset and the same goals in mind. We made some improvements this week since our game on Sunday against Bradley. We've been focusing on having better at bats, putting the ball in play and playing solid defense."
Fischer may need to look to her newcomers for more production in this critical Missouri Valley Conference series.
"We knew this class (freshmen and transfers) had to be able to come in and contribute right away. But if you would have asked me in the fall, I wouldn't have been able to tell you who, what, when or where," Fischer said. "So far they've been doing what we expected and needed them to do."
The Redbirds (18-8, 7-1) and the Salukis (21-4, 5-1), who are ranked No. 25 in the nation according to the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll, have each suffered just one loss this season in Valley action.
"Southern (Illinois) is playing well. They've gotten off to a great start, they're ranked and they've got a good record," Fischer said. "SIU is a well-balanced team. They have good speed and good ability to get on. They have a .293 average as a team and that's pretty strong."
One thing working in the 'Birds favor is the fact that they've only lost one game against SIU in Carbondale since Charlotte West Stadium opened in 2003. That loss, a 2-1 decision, was the result of a Redbird error in the eighth inning. ISU leads the all-time series 57-45; however, Southern Illinois swept the 'Birds in three games last season at Redbird Softball Complex.
