April 15, 2008
With wins in seven of its last eight games, including a season-long seven-game Missouri Valley Conference winning streak, the Illinois State softball team (18-15, 8-4 MVC) has propelled itself back into the hunt for its 12th Valley regular-season championship in program history and its seventh berth into the NCAA Tournament. The Redbirds will take one step closer to achieving that last mark Wednesday when they travel to Urbana, Ill., to take on in-state foe Illinois in a nationally televised game on the Big Ten Network, set to begin at 6 p.m. from Eichelberger Field at Martin Stadium.
The game is a historical one for Illinois State, as it marks the first time in program history that a Redbird softball game will air live on national television. Mike Crispino and Eileen Canney will provide the play-by-play and color commentary for the game. The live broadcast will be available in the Bloomington-Normal, Ill., area on DIRECTV (channel 220) and on DISH Network (channel 439).
Despite a .500 record this season (23-23 overall) and a 3-7 mark in the competitive Big Ten Conference, Illinois will still present a challenge to Illinois State, especially in the batter's box. One year after leading the nation with 84 home runs (1.53 per game), the Fighting Illini bats have once again come alive in 2008, as they are currently hitting .289 as a team with 51 home runs through their first 46 games (1.10 home runs game).
In the NCAA Division I national rankings, through games played April 6, Illinois ranks 15th in home runs per game, 17th in slugging percentage (.491) and 40th in runs scored per game (5.18). Senior infielder Shanna Diller is the leading Fighting Illini batter, as she is hitting at a .360 clip with 33 runs scored, 50 hits and 26 RBI. Infielder Angela Mexicano is the team's leading power hitter with a .739 slugging percentage, 44 RBI, 15 home runs and a .352 batting average.
Illinois pitchers currently own a relatively high 4.01 team ERA that has been hampered by 165 earned runs allowed this season. Claire DeVreese has pitched the bulk of the team's innings, as she owns a 16-15 mark in the circle with a team-best 3.43 ERA.
Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer is looking forward to her team's opportunity to play a tough rival on national television.
"We had three good games against Illinois last year, but we haven't played them yet this year due our rainout earlier this season (March 18)," said Fischer. "It always seems to be a competitive game when we play Illinois at its field, and we need to be prepared and ready to play in order to put us in a good position in the game."
Despite their close proximity to one another, Illinois State and Illinois did not meet on the softball field until the 2003 season, when the Fighting Illini claimed a 4-3, nine-inning win over the Redbirds. Illinois State leads the all-time series against Illinois, 5-4, and is currently riding a four-game winning streak after taking three victories over the Fighting Illini last season.
Illinois State comes into Wednesday night's game against Illinois fresh off of two come-from-behind victories over in-state Missouri Valley Conference rival Bradley Monday. Backed by five innings of no-hit pitching from junior Amber Smith, along with two home runs, including a game-winning three-run shot in the top of the seventh inning, the Redbirds defeated the Braves, 5-3, in game one. Game two went much the same for the Redbirds, as sophomore Michelle Henderson's three-run home run with the Redbirds down, 7-5, with one out in the top of the seventh inning gave ISU its second-straight comeback victory over the Braves, 8-7.
