NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbird softball program is bringing back the national runner-up squad from Illinois State for the 50-year reunion of the team's performance at the 1969 Women's College World Series (WCWS) on April 13.
The Redbirds played in the first-ever WCWS in 1969, as the event was held in Omaha and Fremont, Nebraska, and sponsored by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA), before the NCAA took it over in 1982. Illinois State was one of nine teams that participated in the championship tournament, securing wins over Kearney State, St. Petersburg Junior College, Colorado State College and Missouri State (formerly Southwest Missouri State), before falling to John F. Kennedy in the championship game.
The 2019 Redbirds are set to take on Missouri State on April 13-14, with first pitch of Saturday's doubleheader set for 12 p.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium. All Redbird softball alums will be recognized pre-game on April 13, with a special recognition of the 1969 team slated for between games of the twin bill. For more information and questions regarding the event, please contact Director of Development - RB4L & Donor Events, Marianne Riddell, at 309-438-5455 or mkridde@ilstu.edu.
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