NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team (10-22, 1-4 MVC) has adjusted its home-opening Missouri Valley Conference series against Indiana State (15-12, 3-2 MVC) this weekend due to expected inclement weather in the Normal area.
The Redbirds and the Sycamores were originally scheduled to play a single game on Friday, which has now been turned into a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday's scheduled doubleheader will now become a single game beginning at 12 p.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium.
Redbirds vs. Sycamores
Illinois State holds the 83-16 series advantage over Indiana State, as the Redbirds have won nine of the last 10 meetings against the Sycamores with the most recent loss to Indiana State coming during the 2015 season in Terre Haute, Indiana. The first meeting between the two programs dates back to 1980.
Home Sweet Home
Illinois State has played at least 30 contests on the road to start the season four times - 1998, 2000, 2016, 2018 - in the last 20 years. The Redbirds will finally get to play at Marian Kneer Stadium this weekend against the Sycamores after opening the 2018 season with 32 games on the road. Illinois State has posted a winning record at its home facility in nine of the last 10 seasons.
Preseason MVC
Returning starters and 2017 MVC first-team selections, utility player Shannon Felde, pitcher Sarah Finck, outfielder Riley Hale and first baseman Allison Spence, were named to the Missouri Valley Conference's 2018 preseason all-conference team. Illinois State was selected as the favorite to repeat as the Valley champion in 2018, receiving 88 points and two first-place votes. Southern Illinois, UNI and Drake each received multiple first-place votes, selected second, third and fourth, respectively.
Schedule Outlook
Illinois State begins the 2018 campaign on the road at five tournaments and plays two MVC series before the home opener on March 30. The nonconference slate features 12 NCAA Tournament teams from 2017, including super regional winner LSU, Women's College World Series runner-up Florida and back-to-back national champion Oklahoma. The team will also play three NCAA Tournament teams after beginning conference play: Southern Illinois, the reigning MVC Tournament champion, DePaul, the 2017 BIG EAST Tournament champion, and Illinois. The Redbirds will face seven teams ranked in the NCFA's preseason coaches' Top 25.
New to the Birdhouse
The Illinois State softball team added five newcomers to its roster in 2018, all hailing from Illinois. The Redbird freshmen pack a punch as all five were four-year varsity letter-winners and multi-sport athletes in high school. As a group, the class won eight IHSA regional championships and four sectional championships, while winning ASA state and northern national championships. Within the freshman class, there is an IHSA career RBI record holder, Herald & Review Player of the Year, team MVPs, members of NHS, and a senior class Valedictorian.
Up Next
Illinois State will continue its home stretch and take a break from MVC play on Wednesday, April 4 when No. 22/25 Illinois comes to town. First pitch between the Redbirds and the Illini is set for 5 p.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter and Instagram @RedbirdsSB.
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