LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Illinois State softball team (27-7, 13-3 MVC) is receiving votes in the latest USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced this week.
This is the second time in five seasons – and first time since 2017 – that the Redbirds have been mentioned in the poll. Prior to then, Illinois State was receiving votes in the season-opening coaches' poll in 2011.
The Redbirds are winners of 17 of their last 20 games and are off to their best start since 1981. Three of ISU's seven losses this season have come against nationally-ranked teams – Clemson, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Illinois State has allowed just one run in its last five contests, outscoring its opponents in that stretch, 25-1.
As a team, the Redbirds rank in the top 25 in NCAA Division I in win-loss percentage, earned run average (ERA) and shutouts. Mack Leonard, who leads the team at the plate with a .417 batting average and nine home runs, ranks among the best in the nation in on-base percentage and is currently riding a 19-game reached base streak. In the circle, Leonard and Morgan Day have combined for 26 of ISU's 27 victories and all the Redbirds' shutouts. Day, who has 212 strikeouts on the year, ranks in the top 15 nationally in the category, as well as strikeouts per seven innings.
ON DECK
Illinois State will host UNI Saturday and Sunday for its final weekend at home, as the program will recognize its student manager, five seniors – Andrea Coursey, Morgan Day, Brittni LaFountaine, Rebecca Moffett and Spenser Strandgard – and Team IMPACT teammate, Coen. At this time, attendance is limited to player pass list only and not open to the general public.
To view ISU's full schedule and find ways to follow the Redbirds, visit GoRedbirds.com. Game times, dates, opponents and locations are subject to change.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
