NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State (18-28, 9-10 MVC) will take its final road trip of the regular season this weekend when it travels to UNI (23-22, 8-11 MVC). The Redbirds and the Panthers are set for a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. before the series wraps up at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Redbirds vs. Panthers
Illinois State holds the 71-25-1 series edge over UNI, but the Panthers have won four of the last five meetings against Illinois State, including three of the last five in Cedar Falls, Iowa, dating back to the 2012 season. The last time Illinois State took a series from UNI at their home facility was back in 2010, when the Redbirds swept the Panthers.
Redbirds Announce Reggie's Kids Club Day
The Illinois State softball team will host Reggie's Kids Club Day on Saturday, May 5. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 12 p.m. Activities will begin at 11 a.m. at Adelaide Street Field, next to the softball complex. Kids club members will have a chance to craft their own piñata and enjoy Papa John's pizza, while supplies last. A post-game autograph session will be held after the second game of the doubleheader, where kids will have the opportunity to meet their favorite Redbird softball players. One lucky Reggie's Kids Club member will have the opportunity to announce the Redbird softball batters during the game.
Packing the Park
Illinois State hosted Bradley for a single game on Tuesday to wrap up its three-game set with the Braves. In the series finale, Bradley hit a two-run shot over the left field wall to take the series, 2-1, and the game, 6-5. With a three-game series with Valparaiso left on the schedule, Illinois State currently holds a 5-5 record at Marian Kneer Stadium and has finished with a winning record at home in nine of the last 10 season.
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 close the 2018 regular season at Marian Kneer Stadium next weekend, when Valparaiso comes to town. The Redbirds and Crusaders are set to play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m. with the series finale set for 11 a.m. on Sunday. At the conclusion of Sunday's contest, Illinois State will recognize its seven seniors – Alex Caliva, Caitlyn Daly, Sarah Finck, Riley Phipps, Lauren Prader, Riley Strandgard and Abby Turczyn.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter and Instagram @RedbirdsSB.
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