NORMAL, Ill. – After over a month of airplane flights, bus trips and games in three time zones, the Illinois State softball team will host Northern Iowa in the 2015 home opener. The Redbirds and Panthers will hook up for a three-game series with a doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday.
The Redbirds enter Missouri Valley Conference play with a 9-15 record and went 1-3 earlier this week against Louisville and No. 8 Tennessee. ISU lost to Louisville 10-2 in five innings before bouncing back to win game two, 4-3, Monday. The next night, the Redbirds ran into a talented Tennessee team that showed all facets of its game. The Vols won game one 19-3 and then the second 6-0 while no-hitting ISU.
The Redbirds will now focus on winning a MVC title after being picked second in the preseason coaches' poll. Wichita State was picked first after winning the regular season title last season. The Redbirds went 17-8 and finished second in 2014.
Northern Iowa enters the weekend with a 6-14 record and has lost eight of its last 10 games.
Fans attending the home opener on Saturday will receive a free Redbird softball poster and can also enjoy Buck Day with one-dollar hot dogs and hot chocolate. Sunday's game is State Patrick's Day with special green popcorn and lemonade concessions items. It will also be the first Sunday Runday of the season. All kids are invited to run the bases following the game.
A live audio broadcast for all three games will be available for free on GoRedbirds.com. Live video will be available for all three games through Redbird HD.tv.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
