NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball returns to the Sunshine State for the Owl Classic hosted by Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton, Fla. on Mar. 3-5. The Redbirds are set to play five contests with two against FAU and one each against Texas State, Oakland and Penn.
Illinois State will begin the Owl Classic on Friday, Mar. 3 with a pair of games against Texas State at 1 p.m. CT and Oakland at 6 p.m. CT. The Redbirds will play a single contest on Saturday, Mar. 4 against the host, FAU at 10:30 a.m. CT. Another pair of games await the Redbirds on Sunday, Mar. 5 against Penn at 8 a.m. CT and FAU at 10:30 a.m. CT.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Mar. 3 – Illinois State vs. Texas State – 1 p.m. CT
Friday, Mar. 3 – Illinois State vs. Oakland – 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, Mar. 4 – Illinois State at Florida Atlantic – 10:30 a.m. CT
Sunday, Mar. 5 – Illinois State vs. Penn – 8 a.m. CT
Sunday, Mar. 5 – Illinois State at Florida Atlantic – 10:30 a.m. CT
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Texas State enters this weekend on a six-game win streak with a 12-4 overall record. The Bobcats have only played in their home stadium so far this season, so this will be their first weekend away.
Oakland began play on Feb. 25 in Madeira Beach, Fla. and went 2-2. The Golden Grizzlies' two wins came against UT Martin and Valparaiso, who is a fellow Missouri Valley Conference member. Oakland played a midweek doubleheader against Florida Gulf Coast and dropped both, leaving its record at 2-4 heading into the Owl Classic.
The Quakers have started their 2023 season 0-5 and are looking to pick up their first win at the Owl Classic. Penn's opening weekend was on Feb. 24-26 with games against James Madison, NC State and ETSU.
FAU enters this weekend on a four-game win streak after beating Villanova, Boston College and UNC twice. This will be the third tournament the Owls host on their home field so far in 2023.
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State and Texas State have seen each other twice in program history. The Redbirds and the Bobcats have each won a game. The last time these teams met was in 2018, the Bobcats winning 2-1.
Illinois State and Oakland have met twice in program history - both contests taking place during the 2001 season. The Redbirds beat the Golden Grizzlies both times.
This will be the first time in program history that Illinois State and Penn will meet.
Illinois State and Florida Atlantic will meet for the ninth and tenth times in program history. The Redbirds split games with the Owls last season. Illinois State beat FAU 11-0 in five innings before the Owls bounced back the next day to best ISU 2-0.
NEWS & NOTES
Hilltopper Highlight: Illinois State has won one game in each of its first three tournaments to start 2023, but the Redbirds' win over Jacksonville State on Feb. 25 has been their best performance so far. Illinois State scored a season-high 10 runs against the Gamecocks while blasting three two-run home runs. True freshman Hannah Meeks picked up her first career win in the circle by tossing a one-hit complete game shutout against JSU.
Big Milestones: Fifth-year senior Emme Olson hit an important milestone at the Hilltopper Spring Fling. She collected her 100th career RBI and her career total currently sits at 103. Olson also hit two home runs in the game against Jacksonville State on Feb. 25, giving her 20 career bombs.
On-base Olson: Fifth-year senior Emme Olson continues to lead the Redbird offense in many categories. She currently holds a reached base safely streak of 16 games. She has reached base safely in all 14 contests in 2023, but her streak dates back to the final two games of the 2022 season. Olson also holds a hit streak of 12 games that includes three doubles that have moved her up to third in program history in career doubles (43).
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