NORMAL, Ill. – With sunshine in the forecast, Illinois State continues its seven-game home stand, welcoming Loyola for a three-game series at Marian Kneer Stadium, where admission is always free. The Redbirds (16-16, 6-3) and Ramblers (18-14, 1-8) will play a doubleheader Saturday at noon before wrapping up the weekend with a single game Sunday at 11 a.m. with each game of the series on ESPN3.
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Following their 1-2 weekend against Southern Illinois, the Redbirds currently share the second place spot in the Valley with Wichita State, Missouri State, and Northern Iowa.
Down 7-2 heading to the bottom of the seventh in the home opener, the Redbirds rallied five runs in the seventh to earn the 8-7 win in eight innings over Southern Illinois on Saturday. Illinois State earned a 1-2 record during their home opening weekend.
Illinois State logged 33 hits against Southern Illinois, led by Allison Spence and Jordan de los Reyes who both slugged six hits in the series. The pair each recorded three extra base hits during the weekend: Spence with three doubles and de los Reyes with two homers and a double.
Without a strikeout this season, Shannon Felde leads not only Illinois State, but also the Missouri Valley Conference, with a .500 average this season. The sophomore has reached base safely in every game played this season (21) with a 19-game hitting-streak. She has 12 multi-hit games this season, including a 4-for-6 outing vs. Delaware. Additionally, she is the only hitter of the Valley's top 62 hitters who has failed to strikeout this season. In order to rank nationally, Felde must play in 75 percent of the Redbirds games and due to an injury (Feb. 23-Mar. 10), she will not reach this mark until the Redbirds' 40th game of the season.Â
Head coach Melinda Fischer already penned her name in NCAA Softball history, but she is quickly approaching another milestone number - 1,000 wins at Illinois State. She currently has 995 wins in her 32 years at the helm.
Scouting the Ramblers
After beginning the season 14-0, the Ramblers have dropped seven of their past eight matchups. Loyola's 2-1 win over Wichita State in the series finale last weekend in Chicago was the first MVC victory of the season for the Ramblers, led by Keenan Dolezal in the circle. Kristin Lea leads the Ramblers at the plate, batting .333 while Kiley Jones has toed the rubber for 11 wins.
Redbirds vs. Ramblers
Illinois State leads the all-time series 11-6, winning the past two series in Chicago and Normal. The Redbirds came out on top in the 2016 meeting in Chicago, winning the series against the Ramblers 2-1. Sarah Finck tossed a complete game, 6-run shutout with seven strikeouts in game two of the series.
Up Next
The Redbirds wrap up their seven-game homestand Wednesday versus DePaul for Strikeout Cancer Day with a 5 p.m. first pitch at Marian Kneer Stadium.
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