May 13, 2010
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Illinois State softball team will take part in the 2010 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship this weekend in Des Moines, Iowa. The No. 2 Redbirds could face three separate opponents, but have to wait for the conclusion of Thursday's games. ISU could face No. 3 Creighton, No. 6 Drake or No. 7 Wichita State Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., on Buel Field.
THE CREIGHTON SERIES
The all-time series against the Bluejays is the second shortest for ISU against a Missouri Valley Conference opponent, spanning 65 games over a 30-year period.
Illinois State leads the all-time series, 31-30-1; however, the Bluejays have had the Redbirds' number as of late, holding a 12-6 advantage over the last 18 games.
Creighton first joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 1993. Prior to that, the Redbirds were 5-4 against the Bluejays.
REDBIRDS-BLUEJAYS: 2010
Illinois State dropped the season series with Creighton, 2-1. The Redbirds split a doubleheader at Marian Kneer Softball Stadium, winning the second game, 2-1, after dropping the first game, 8-0, in six innings. It was the first time the Redbirds had been shut out at home during the 2010 season.
The Bluejays topped the Redbirds, 3-1, on senior day at Kneer Stadium. The Redbirds sole run came as a home run off of the bat of Abby Olson
ISU batted only .129 against Creighton this season and scored three runs. Lauren Kellar batted .333 (2-6) in the three-game series. Elizabeth Kay also homered against the Bluejays in Saturday's (May 1) win.
THE DRAKE SERIES
Illinois State leads the all-time series against Drake, 51-20. ISU last lost to Drake April 15, 2010, in a doubleheader sweep. The Redbirds lost the first game, 8-6, in extra innings and dropped the second game, 5-1.
Under head coach Melinda Fischer, Illinois State is 47-18, while the Redbirds own a 16-5 mark against Drake since former Illinois State assistant coach Rich Calvert (1987-92) took over the helm of the Bulldog softball program in 2003.
Since The Valley moved to three-game conference series in 2002, Illinois State has recorded series sweeps over Drake in five of the last eight series meetings.
REDBIRDS-BULLDOGS: 2010
Illinois State dropped the season series with Drake, 2-0. The Redbirds were swept in a doubleheader at Marian Kneer Softball Stadium, which was a makeup game after the original series was cancelled due to cold weather March 20. Drake topped the Redbirds in the first game, 8-6, in eight innings before taking the second game, 5-1.
ISU batted .214 against Drake in the doubleheader earlier this season and scored seven runs. Niki Stansell batted .571 (4-7) with one home run and two RBI. Elizabeth Kay also hit above the .400 mark with a .429. Kay homered and tallied two RBI against the Bulldogs.
THE WICHITA STATE SERIES
Despite Wichita State's recent rise to the upper echelon of the Missouri Valley Conference this decade, Illinois State has still held a dominant advantage over the Shockers, as the Redbirds lead the all-time series, 57-16.
REDBIRDS-SHOCKERS: 2010
Illinois State swept the season series with Wichita State, 2-0. The Redbirds swept a doubleheader at Marian Kneer Softball Stadium, but the three-game series was shortened due to rain that cancelled the series finale. ISU won the first game 9-1, and continued its strong offensive performance in the second game winning the contest, 10-2.
ISU batted a team high .463 against Wichita State this season and scored 19 runs on 19 hits.
Kara Nelson led the Redbirds in the doubleheader sweep as she had a perfect performance at the plate going 6-for-6 in the doubleheader. In the stellar offensive performance, Nelson recorded two doubles.
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