NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team will return to the Sunshine State for the second time this season, venturing to Boca Raton to play in Florida Atlantic's "Strike-Out Cancer" Tournament, Feb. 21-23.
LINEUP
FAU "Strike-Out Cancer" Tournament – Boca Raton, Fla.
Friday, Feb. 21 – vs. Long Island, 8:30 a.m. CT
Friday, Feb. 21 – vs. Hofstra, 10:45 a.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 22 – vs. North Florida, 11:15 a.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 22 – at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m. CT
Sunday, Feb. 23 – vs. Long Island, 9 a.m. CT
LAST TIME OUT
The Redbirds traveled to Arizona State's Littlewood Classic last weekend, facing four NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago. Illinois State went 2-3 at the event, topping Boise State (RV), 12-8, and Detroit Mercy, 11-5. For the third time in four years, the Redbirds are making the return trip to Boca Raton, Florida, to play in a tournament hosted by the Owls. Illinois State struggled last season, taking down FAU, 6-2, in its lone win of the weekend. The Redbirds will get two rematches with Long Island, who won last year's meeting, 5-3.
CLOSING IN ON 1,100
Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer needs just five wins to accumulate 1,100. Fischer's 1,095 career victories spread out among 36 seasons as a collegiate head coach, at both Eastern Illinois (1979-80) and Illinois State (1986-present), rank her as the 19th-winningest coach in NCAA Division I softball history and the 11th-winningest active head coach.
DYNAMIC DUO
Emme Olson and Dayna Kennedy were named the Missouri Valley Conference Player and Newcomer of the Week, respectively, on Monday for their performances at Arizona State's Littlewood Classic. The duo turned in the two best batting averages among the Redbirds – both hitting over .500 – while combining for 15 hits, four runs scored, three doubles, a triple and four walks. Additionally, Olson finished with five RBIs, including the go-ahead three-RBI home run in ISU's eight-run fifth inning in a win against Detroit Mercy.
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