March 16, 2009
Now that its originally-scheduled home-opening series against Bradley, which was moved to Peoria, Ill., last weekend, is behind it, the Illinois State softball team (13-10) can go to work on its "true" home schedule when it plays host to in-state foe Illinois (13-7) at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Marian Kneer Softball Stadium.
Illinois State will be "Going to Bat for Cancer" during the game, as the Illinois State Athletics Department, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society's "Coaches vs. Cancer" initiative and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), will help to raise awareness for breast cancer by wearing special pink jerseys during the game.
The McClean County affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation will have an information table set up at the game to provide information regarding breast cancer and ways in which Illinois State Athletics fans can help in the fight against breast cancer.
The Zeta Tau Alpha sorority will also be handing out pink ribbons to fans entering the game. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support for breast cancer awareness.
Illinois State is coming off a 2-1 record in its Missouri Valley Conference-opening series last weekend against Bradley. The Redbirds opened the first game with a 2-1 victory Saturday, and then took a 5-2 win in Sunday's first game. Game two of Sunday's doubleheader was a classic pitcher's duel, as Illinois State starting pitcher Amber Smith and Bradley starter Ashley Birdsong battled through seven scoreless innings before Bradley got the best of ISU in the top of the eighth for two runs in the 2-0 Braves' victory.
Illinois State and Illinois are tied in the all-time series, 5-5, after the Fighting Illini broke a four-game Redbird winning streak in the series with a 16-8 victory over Illinois State last season in Urbana, Ill. The Redbirds' series with the Fighting Illini is ISU's third-shortest against a team from the state of Illinois.
ISU is led at the plate by a pair of mid-.300 hitters. Senior slugger Amber Smith is the Redbirds' top hitter with a .355 batting average that includes two doubles, a home run, 10 RBI and a .421 slugging percentage. Senior catcher Casey Gorrell has been ISU's biggest hitting surprise this season, as she owns a .353 batting average (.235 career hitter entering this season) with four doubles, a team-high four home runs and 12 RBI.
In the circle, freshman pitcher Jordan Birch continues to lead Illinois State. Birch has won seven-straight starts and boasts a team-best 7-3 record and a scant 1.62 ERA.
Overall, ISU pitchers own a combined 2.64 ERA and have held opposing batters to a .198 batting average.
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