NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbirds will start at nine-game home stretch this weekend as Illinois State is set to host the Indiana State Sycamores (16-12, 4-2 MVC) in its 2022 home opener on Apr. 2 at 5 p.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium.
The original schedule for the three-game series was a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 2 followed by a single game on Sunday, Apr. 3. Due to anticipated wet weather, Saturday will now be a single game with first pitch at 5 p.m. with the doubleheader moved to Sunday, beginning at 12 p.m. at Marian Kneer Stadium.
SERIES INFORMATION
Illinois State (10-15, 1-2 MVC) vs. Indiana State (16-12, 4-2 MVC)
Dates/Times:
Saturday, April 2 – 5:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, April 3 – 12:00 p.m. CT (DH – game 1)
Sunday, April 3 – 2:30 p.m. CT (DH – game 2)
City: Normal, Ill.
Field: Marian Kneer Stadium
TV: ESPN3
Radio: WZND
SERIES HISTORY
The Redbirds hold a 90-17 all-time series record against the Indiana State Sycamores. The last time these programs met was on March 21, 2021, for the last game of a three-game set. Illinois State beat Indiana State 4-2, finishing the sweep of the Sycamores. The last time Indiana State beat the Redbirds was on March 30, 2018, in a 5-1 decision. The Sycamores hold only three wins over Illinois State since 2013, the Redbirds are 19-3 in that 10-season stretch (teams didn't play each other in 2020 due to the shortened season). Coach Perniciaro also faced Fischer while he coached at Wichita State (2006-11).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
A season ago, Indiana State posted a 20-28 overall record and a 12-15 conference record, placing them 7th in the Valley at the conclusion of the season. The Sycamores are currently 16-12 with a 4-2 conference record. Indiana State was picked to finish 5th in the conference, just above the Redbirds, in the 2022 Preseason Poll.
RBI COLLECTOR
Freshman Abby Knight posted the first four-RBI contest by a Redbird this season in the first game against Missouri State on Saturday, March 19. Illinois State started the first conference series with an offensive outburst, as Knight collected four-RBI on two hits and scored a run. Knight is currently the team leader in multiple RBI games this season with four. She has one two-RBI game (3/4 vs. Delaware), a pair of three-RBI games (2/20 vs. Portland State & 3/5 vs. Purdue), and then the four-RBI game at Missouri State.
PERFECTION
Junior pitcher Hannah Ross continued to reach new heights in the circle at the Middle Tennessee State Tournament in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Mar. 10-11). The Scottsdale, Ariz. native, tossed the Redbirds first perfect game in over a decade in the second game of the tournament versus UT Martin. It was the third perfect game in program history and she threw a single-game career high in strikeouts (5).
The last perfect game to be thrown by a Redbird prior to Ross' was February 27, 2011. Taylor Baxter (2011-14), a freshman at the time, threw a career high eight strikeouts in a 9-0 win over Central Connecticut State.
OLSON NAMED SENIOR CLASS AWARD CANDIDATE
Senior team captain Emme Olson is a leader on the field, in the classroom, and around her community. For her outstanding achievements in all three of these areas, Olson is one of 30 NCAA Division I softball student-athletes selected as a candidate for the 2022 Senior CLASS Award.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate.
MAGIC NUMBER: 1,100
Head coach Melinda Fischer earned her 1,100 win at Illinois State at the Florida Atlantic Parents-Weekend Tournament. The Redbirds played a double-header on Saturday, March 5 and secured the Saturday sweep to give their veteran head coach the final two wins to reach this milestone.
The 1,100 win at Illinois State came on an 11-0 defeat of tournament host, the
FAU Owls. The Redbirds put up eight runs in the first inning and went on to score three more before the game ended after five innings. Amanda Fox was lights out in the circle, only allowing six hits and striking out six. The star on offense was Hanna Hicks as she was 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored.
PROMOTIONS
The home opener will feature a fun-filled weekend for fans! Saturday is Reggie's Kids Club Day, and the first 200 fans will receive softball Topps cards featuring the Illinois State softball players. Schedule magnets will also be available. Sunday will be the Redbird Rally and the first 100 fans get a special shirt. To check out all the upcoming promotions for Redbird Softball, click here.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB) and Instagram (@redbirdsoftball).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
