NORMAL, Ill. – Head coach Melinda Fischer announced on Monday the 2022 Illinois State softball schedule which features 54 games against 31 different opponents, and it all begins when the 'Birds travel to the Sunshine State for their season opener on Feb. 10.
"This is a very tough and demanding schedule that features 15 games versus regional teams from 2021. As always, our pre-conference schedule will challenge us in every aspect of our game to help prepare us for the very competitive MVC season. It's also really great to return to some of our familiar tournaments."
University of South Florida Tournament | Tampa, Fla. | Feb. 10-12
The Redbirds begin the season in Tampa, Fla. participating in a tournament hosted by USF. The 'Birds start by playing USF, whom they last saw in the shortened 2020 season-opener and won 9-3 (Feb. 6, 2020). Games against Michigan and Florida follow on Feb.11 with the last game for ISU on Feb. 12 against University of Missouri-Kansas City. Michigan and Florida both hold the all-time series advantage over Illinois State with their last meetings coming both on Feb. 7, 2020, in this exact tournament. This will be the first contest played between ISU and UMKC, which is a member of the Summit League.
Littlewood Classic | Tempe, Ariz. | Feb. 18-20
This marks the 17th Littlewood Classic since the tournament's inception in 2005, named for the first head coach of the Arizona State program, Mary Littlewood. Illinois State has competed in the tournament every year of its existence. The participants this year include University of California, University of Texas El Paso, Minnesota, Arizona State, and Portland State. ISU is slated to play five games starting with California and UTEP on Feb. 18, followed by Minnesota and ASU on Feb. 19, and facing Portland State for the first time in program history on Feb. 20. Currently, the Redbirds hold an advantage in the all-time series with UTEP. The all-time series between ISU and Minnesota is currently tied at six games apiece.
Hilltopper Spring Fling | Bowling Green, Ky. | Feb. 25-27
For the third tournament of the season, Western Kentucky is set to host Illinois State, Ohio University and Dayton University for a four-team seeded tournament. ISU is guaranteed to play five games, one versus each team, then a seeded round (1 vs. 4 & 2 vs. 3), and winners play in the Championship game while the losers of the seeded round dual in a Consolation game. The Redbirds last saw Ohio in 2014 when they beat the Bobcats 7-3. The last matchup between ISU and WKU came in 2020 that resulted in a loss for the Redbirds in order to tie the all-time series at five wins per team. Dayton was the most recent team ISU faced, playing the Flyers twice in the 2021 season, resulting in a win for each program.
Florida Atlantic Parents-Weekend Tournament | Boca Raton, Fla. | March 4-6
Illinois State travels to Boca Raton, Fla. for its fourth tournament in as many weeks. Florida Atlantic University will host Delaware, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Purdue and ISU. The Redbirds have five games scheduled over three days, beginning with a doubleheader against Delaware and SIUE. ISU takes on Purdue and FAU on day two and closes the tournament with a final game against FAU. The Redbirds have only played Delaware and SIUE once in program history, earning a win on each occasion.
Middle Tennessee State Tournament | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | March 11-13
For the fifth and final pre-conference tournament of the 2022 season, Middle Tennessee State will host Illinois State along with University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, University of Tennessee at Martin, and Northern Iowa. The Redbirds went to Murfreesboro last season and won four out of five contests, earning themselves the tournament title. The 'Birds currently hold an undefeated all-time series record against MTSU (2-0), UTEP (4-0), and UT-Martin (2-0).
Inside the Schedule
The Redbirds will open Missouri Valley Conference play on the road at Missouri State when they travel to Springfield, Mo. for a three-game series on March 19-20.
Illinois State has 14 scheduled home contests with the home opener set to occur on March 26 with a doubleheader against the Drake Bulldogs at Marian Kneer Stadium. The Redbirds will also take on Indiana State (April 2-3), Evansville (April 9-10), Bradley (April 27), and Valparaiso (April 30-May1) at home this season.
Also included in the schedule are three non-conference games. Illinois State will travel to Dekalb, Ill. on March 23 to play the Northern Illinois Huskies. Illinois will come to Marian Kneer Stadium on April 3 for their annual matchup with ISU. For the last non-conference contest, the Redbirds will travel to DePaul on April 12 for a midweek meeting.
The MVC Tournament is scheduled for May 11-14 and will be played in Springfield, Mo., hosted by Missouri State. For the full 2022 schedule, please visit our schedule page at GoRedbirds.com.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB) and Instagram (@redbirdsoftball).
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