June 2, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
Three-time Missouri Valley Conference first team selection Stacy Birk will continue her softball career, as the Huntington Beach, Calif., native signed a professional contract to play for the Philadelphia Force of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league.
The right-handed pitcher won 20 games in 2007 for the Redbirds, while posting a 2.21 earned run average. In addition to being a first team All-Valley honoree, Birk claimed MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team and ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V second team accolades during her senior year.
She finished her Illinois State career as the all-time school leader in wins, saves, appearances, games started, innings pitched and shutouts. Birk also had success at the plate for the Redbirds in 2007 and posted a .301 batting average with 21 runs scored and 19 runs batted in.
Birk joins slugger Emily Kruger as former Redbirds who have played in the NPF. Kruger played the 2004 season with the New England Riptide. The Force begins the 2007 season on June 7, when they face the Washington Glory.
