NORMAL, Ill. – After coming from one game down to win a three-game series over Indiana State this past weekend, the Illinois State softball team is in action Wednesday with a home game against Northern Illinois at Marian Kneer Stadium.
The Redbirds are 13-17 overall and 4-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference. ISU lost game one to Indiana State, 8-5, Saturday before bouncing back to win game two, 6-1, and game three, 10-9. Wednesday's game will be Illinois State's fourth home game of the season and its first midweek contest of the year.
The Redbirds are led by Annie Heineman. Heineman has started all 30 games for ISU and leads the team in batting average (.361), runs (22), hits (35) and stolen bases (six). Heineman has also hit three home runs this season, including one over the weekend in Terre Haute.
Regan Romshek, Riley Strandgard and Jordan de los Reyes all bat over .300 as well, and between the three of them they have hit 20 home runs.
In the circle, ISU has been helped by the emergence of freshman, Sarah Finck. Finck has a 4-1 record and has struck out 31 batters. Romshek brings an 8-10 record into the game and has struck out 65 batters on the season.
Northern Illinois enters the contest 12-13 and 2-4 on the road. The Huskies are led by Kayti Grable. Grable is batting .468 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. NIU has won four of its last five, but dropped a 3-0 decision to North Dakota State its last time out.
The game will also be ISU's annual Strike Out Cancer game. The Redbirds will be wearing pink jerseys for the game and a pregame balloon release will be held honoring all cancer survivors and those currently battling the disease.
In addition, Wednesday is Dollar Day with hot dogs and pink lemonade available at the concession stand for just one dollar.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday at Marian Kneer Stadium. A live audio broadcast will be available on GoRedbirds.com and a live video feed will be available 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.
