NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team is gearing up for another successful season and preparations begin in a little over a week with the kickoff of its fall schedule. The Redbirds narrowly missed the Missouri Valley Conference title last season and welcome a solid recruiting class to campus this fall.
Fall league play begins Sept. 7 with ISU's annual Alumni Game between the current team and past players. Last season the current Redbirds defeated the alumni 3-0. First pitch is schedule for 1 p.m., at Marian Kneer Stadium.
Five days later, ISU welcomes Western Illinois to Marian Kneer Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. contest. The Friday night contest is the only Friday game on the fall slate. The Redbirds will then host Lake Land College on Wednesday, Sept. 17. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. from Marian Kneer Stadium.
After three games at home, the Redbirds will head up to South Bend for a doubleheader on Sunday, Sept. 21. At 1:15 p.m., ISU will face Notre Dame and will play Western Michigan following the first contest. After a week off, ISU will make the short drive to Champaign on Saturday, Sept. 27 for a doubleheader against Illinois. The first game begins at 11 with the second at 1.
Two games back at home round out the schedule – an Oct. 2 matchup with Illinois Central College and an Oct. 8 date with Heartland College. Start times are 6:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.
| Sunday, Sept. 7 | Alumni Game | 1 p.m. | Marian Kneer Stadium |
| Friday, Sept. 12 | Western Illinois | 6:30 p.m. | Marian Kneer Stadium |
| Wednesday, Sept. 17 | Lake Land College | 6:30 p.m. | Marian Kneer Stadium |
| Sunday, Sept. 21 | Notre Dame Western Michigan | 1:15 p.m. 3:30 p.m. | South Bend, Ind. |
| Saturday, Sept. 27 | Illinois (DH) | 11 a.m./1 p.m. | Champaign, Ill. |
| Thursday, Oct. 2 | Illinois Central College | 6:30 p.m. | Marian Kneer Stadium |
| Wednesday, Oct. 8 | Heartland College | 6 p.m. | Marian Kneer Stadium |
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