NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State (0-4) is ready for the next challenge as the Redbirds travel to Tempe, Ariz. for the Littlewood Classic and will play five games in three days (Feb. 18-20), featuring contests against California-Berkley (4-1), University of Texas-El Paso (4-2), (RV) Minnesota (3-2), No. 23/21 Arizona State (3-2) and Portland State (4-1).
Illinois State is set to open play against the California Bears on Friday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. CT, immediately followed by the Redbirds taking on the UTEP Miners at 12:30 p.m. CT. Friday, Feb. 19 with also feature back-to-back games, as Illinois State will take on the (RV) Minnesota Gophers at 3 p.m. CT and the host of the Littlewood Classic, No. 23/21 Arizona State, at 5:30 p.m. CT. The Redbirds will close out the weekend by playing the Portland State Vikings for the first time in program history on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. CT.
LITTLEWOOD CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 18 – Illinois State vs. California – 10:00 a.m. CT
Friday, Feb. 18 – Illinois State vs. Texas-El Paso – 12:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 19 – Illinois State vs. (RV) Minnesota – 3:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 19 – Illinois State at No. 23/21 Arizona State – 5:30 p.m. CT
Sunday, Feb. 20 – Illinois State vs. Portland State – 9:00 a.m. CT
POWER HOUR
Through the first four games, with two contests against top 25 teams, Illinois State has recorded six extra-base hits - four doubles, a triple and a home run. Freshmen Addison Masching and Delainey Bryant are responsible for more than half of those as Masching has two doubles and Bryant has a triple and a double. Reili Gardner is responsible for the fourth double as well as four RBI, which is half of the Redbirds' total so far (8).
Illinois State's first home run was a blast from Dayna Kennedy in a tie game against UMKC. In the top of the sixth inning, ISU added to their lead to go up 4-0, but the Roos tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. In the top of the seventh, with two outs and on a 2-2 count, Kennedy crushed the ball over the left field wall, high and deep, earning the Redbirds' their first blast of the season in a game that ultimately did not go in their favor.
FRESHMEN FIRSTS
Four freshmen made their collegiate debuts in the Redbirds' first weekend of action, including Bryant, Masching, Bella Wilkerson and Abby Knight. Bryant started at shortstop against USF, but didn't collect her first hit until the game against UMKC where her hard hit and speed propelled her to a triple. Masching was 2-for-6 on the weekend recording two doubles. Wilkerson was solid behind the plate and registered her first collegiate hit on a smoked single up the middle. Knight made a start at first base, and while she has yet to record her first hit, she did find herself on the bases, getting hit by a pitch against No. 16/13 Michigan.
RANKED OPPONENTS
The last time Illinois State beat a ranked opponent was in 2019 at the Purple and Gold Challenge in Baton Rouge, La. hosted by LSU. Illinois State defeated No. 16/15 Indiana in a 3-0 decision.
The 2022 schedule starts with a challenging preseason as Illinois State is set to play three ranked opponents and two additional opponents that received votes in the first two tournaments (No. 6/5 Florida, No. 16/13 Michigan, No. 23/21 Arizona State, Minnesota and USF).
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