ST. LOUIS – For the second time this week, Riley Strandgard was honored by the conference office, this time as the Missouri Valley Conference's female Scholar-Athlete of the Week, MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin announced Tuesday.
The league leading Redbirds return home to host travel partner, Bradley, on Wednesday for a midweek doubleheader at Marian Kneer Stadium, where admission is always free. Illinois State sports a 22-17 overall mark, 12-3 in the MVC while serving host to the 19-23, 5-10 Braves on Pack the Park night.
Live Stats // Watch // NotesÂ
The Redbirds and Braves will play a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. The series will conclude in Peoria, Illinois on April 25 at 4 p.m.
Strandgard's four multi-hit games last week earned her third weekly honor and the seventh for Illinois State this season. Earlier this season, Strandgard was named the MVC's female Scholar Athlete of the Week.
Illinois State outscored Drake, 20-5 in Des Moines, highlighted by Sarah Finck's one-hitter and head coach Melinda Fischer's 1,000th win at Illinois State. Led by Shannon Felde's .433 average, five Redbirds are batting over .300 this spring. Jordan de los Reyes is approaching three Illinois State career milestones: 200 hit club, career RBIs, and career home runs.
Scouting the Braves
The Braves have dropped five of their last six conference matchups with the lone win in the series finale versus Wichita State on April 9. Bradley owns Power Five wins over Oregon State and Maryland in the nonconference schedule. Kelly Kapp leads the Valley with her .475 average, followed by Caitlyn McCarron batting .415. Jaelen Hull leads the Braves' pitching staff with an 8-4 record and a 3.16 ERA.
Redbirds vs. Braves
The Redbirds lead the all-time series, 60-28 with an even 3-3 record over the last two seasons. The Braves won the series in 2016, but the Redbirds won the series finale in a shortened game, 11-3. Finck tossed the win and plated three runs in addition to Strandgard's three runs.
Up Next
Illinois State continues its five-game homestand, serving as host to Missouri State for a noon doubleheader on Saturday and a single game Sunday at 11 a.m.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter and Instagram.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
