NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball (14-15, 4-1 MVC) returns home to host the UIC Flames (0-28, 0-6 MVC) for the Redbirds' first home Missouri Valley Conference series of the 2023 season at Marian Kneer Stadium on April 1-2.
The Redbirds and Flames were originally scheduled to begin the three-game series on Friday, Mar. 31, but the series was pushed back due to inclement weather. Illinois State and UIC will now play one game on Saturday, April 1 at 4 p.m. CT and will finish with a doubleheader on Sunday, April 2 starting at 1 p.m. CT with the second game to follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
Illinois State enters this weekend's series on a five-game win streak and the Redbirds have won nine of their last 10 games while improving to 4-1 in MVC play after a series sweep of Valparaiso. Over the three-game series at Valpo, the Redbirds scored 37 runs, beating the Beacons 14-3 in game one, 8-5 in game two and 15-0 in the series finale. Additionally, the series finale saw Illinois State score 13 runs in the second inning, all with two outs. Every Redbird in the starting lineup scored at least one time in the inning with four Redbirds scoring twice. Illinois State is hoping to continue its offensive outburst that started in the home opener against DePaul when the Redbirds were able to complete a come-from-behind victory by scoring 10 runs in the sixth inning to beat the Blue Demons 10-3. Illinois State has scored 10+ runs in three of its last four contests (10-3 vs. DePaul, 14-3 at Valpo, & 15-0 at Valpo).
The pitching for Illinois State has also been stellar as seniors Amanda Fox and Hannah Ross as well as freshmen Hannah Meshnick and Hannah Meeks continue to split time in the circle. All four Redbird pitchers appeared in the weekend series at Valpo with Meeks pitching a one-hit, complete game shutout in the series finale which earned her MVC Newcomer of the Week honors.
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State holds the all-time series record over UIC 7-5 as the series dates back to 1978. The last time these two programs faced was on Feb. 15, 2013 and the Redbirds beat the Flames 16-8 in six innings. This is the first Valley meeting between Illinois State and UIC as the Flames are one of three new teams to the conference in 2023. Prior to the MVC, UIC was in the Horizon League.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
UIC enters its first season as part of the Missouri Valley Conference in 2023. The Flames are still seeking their first win despite some well-played softball as they have started the 2023 campaign 0-28 and 0-6 in the MVC.
In 2022, the Flames posted a 13-32 overall record while going 10-15 in conference to finish 7th overall in the Horizon League. They finished out the 2022 season with a series win over IUPUI.
NEWS & NOTES
National Stats: As a team, Illinois State currently ranks 19th in the nation in team fielding percentage (.976) which is the best in the conference. As a team, the Redbirds are also 37th in the country in doubles per game (1.52) and 45th in total doubles (44).
Kennedy, Meeks with Weekly Honors: Senior catcher Dayna Kennedy earned MVC Player of the Week and freshman pitcher Hannah Meeks earned MVC Newcomer of the Week for their performances at Valpo - both earned their respective honors for the first time in their careers. Kennedy was 7-for-10 across three starts at Valpo with two doubles, two home runs, 7 runs scored and 7 RBI. Meeks tossed her second on-hitter of the season and her young career in the series finale while striking out two and not allowing a walk or HBP.
Elite Company: Senior Kaili Chval and sophomore Delainey Bryant both scored 4 runs in the 14-3 victory over Valparaiso on Mar. 24. They are only the third pair of teammates to score 4+ runs each in a single game this season in NCAA Division I softball. The first to do it was Texas A&M teammates Trinity Cannon and Koko Wooley who scored 4 runs each in a victory over Texas A&M-Commerce. Grace Lyons and Jocelyn Erickson from Oklahoma also achieved this feat as Lyons crossed the plate 5 times and Erickson 4 times in a win over Stephen F. Austin (SFA).
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