NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State softball team is back on the diamond tonight to host Western Illinois at Marian Kneer Stadium. It is the second game of the Redbirds' fall schedule, but first against an opponent from outside the ISU family. Last Sunday, the Redbirds fell to a team consisting of ISU alumni 3-0 in the fall kickoff.
The going gets a bit easier tonight with WIU coming to town. In fact, there might not be one team this fall that can match the prowess of the alumni team. At one point the Redbirds were facing nine players who were named All-Valley and three who were All-Americans. It's safe to say the competition was tough last Sunday. However, ISU responded admirably, holding the alumni to three runs on five hits.
The Redbirds had four hits, but could never push a run around. McKensie Vissering and Sarah Finck worked a solid game on the mound with the three runs being credited to Vissering in the first four innings. Finck struggled with her control early, but settled down and was lights out for the final four innings. Both pitchers were helped by their defense, a facet of the game that has been the focus for ISU early on this season.
Moving forward, head coach Melinda Fischer has stated the offense will need some work, but she was pleased with the defense and pitching Sunday. Tonight, the Redbirds will have a chance to plate their first run of the fall against a Leathernecks team that went 19-28-1 last season. As a team, WIU hit .298, but the pitching staff had a combined earned run average nearing 5.00. WIU has an experienced bunch with just five freshmen on the roster.
First pitch tonight is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium.
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