NORMAL, Ill. – After an opening weekend that was cut short due to weather, Illinois State (1-3) is ready to be back in action at the Littlewood Classic in Arizona where the Redbirds are set to split time between Tempe and Phoenix for a five-game weekend slate.
The Redbirds start the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz. with a contest against Oregon State (2-3) at 4:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, Feb. 16. The following day, Illinois State will play a pair of contests in Phoenix, Ariz. against Weber State (1-4) at 2:30 p.m. CT and Grand Canyon (5-0) at 7:30 p.m. CT. The tournament will conclude for the Redbirds on Saturday, Feb. 18 in Tempe with two contests, the first against BYU (2-2) at noon CT and the second against Arizona State (4-1) at 5 p.m. CT. The Tempe, Ariz. games will be hosted by the Sun Devils while GCU will play host in Phoenix.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 16 – Illinois State vs. (RV) Oregon State – 4:30 p.m. CT (TV: Pac-12 Oregon)
Friday, Feb. 17 – Illinois State vs. Weber State – 2:30 p.m. CT
Friday, Feb. 17 – Illinois State at Grand Canyon – 7:30 p.m. CT (TV: ESPN+)
Saturday, Feb. 18 – Illinois State vs. BYU – noon CT
Saturday, Feb. 18 – Illinois State at No. 22/RV Arizona State – 5 p.m. CT (TV: ASU Live-Stream 3)
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
In 2022, the Beavers made it to the Women's College World Series despite finishing sixth in the Pac-12 with a 9-15 conference record. Oregon State lost to Florida and Arizona to end its WCWS run.
The Wildcats were 38-12 overall with a 13-1 conference record which secured them the Big Sky regular season title. Weber State won the Big Sky Championships to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats traveled to Seattle for an NCAA Regional, losing to Texas and Lehigh to end their 2022 season.
In 2022, the Lopes were 39-16 overall with a 19-5 conference record in the Western Athletic Conference. GCU won the regular season and tournament title in the WAC, earning an automatic bid into an NCAA Regional. GCU lost to UCLA and Ole Miss to end an incredible 2022 season.
The Cougars posted a 42-10 record overall in 2022, going 13-2 in conference and earning a share of the regular season title. BYU ended the 2022 season on 17-game win streak.
Arizona State won the Pac-12 regular season title with a 20-4 conference record to go with its 43-11 overall record. The Sun Devils made it to an NCAA Super Regional, but lost to Northwestern to end their 2022 season.
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State and Oregon State have faced off only once in program history. The only meeting between these two programs was on May 26, 1978, in the first round of the AIAW Championship (Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women).
Friday's contests against Weber State and Grand Canyon will be the first time Illinois State plays either team in program history.
Illinois State and BYU have met once in program history on Feb. 17, 2001. The Cougars beat the Redbirds 5-2.
Illinois State and Arizona State will meet for the 40th time in program history. The Sun Devils beat the Redbirds 12-2 in 2022.
NEWS & NOTES
Challenging Tournament: Four of five teams the Redbirds are scheduled to play Feb. 16-18 at the Littlewood Classic in Arizona made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2022. Oregon State made it the furthest, reaching the Women's College World Series. Arizona State reached the Super Regionals round while GCU and Weber State both earned bids into the NCAA Regionals round. BYU, the only team the Redbirds will face that did not make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season, ended its 2022 season on a 17-game win streak and are 2-2 to start 2-23.
First of Many: First-year head coach Tina Kramos picked up her first career win as a head coach against St. Joseph's in an 8-2 victory for the Redbirds on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. Former head coach Melinda Fischer was in attendance and was able to present Kramos with a game ball to commemorate that win.
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