Redbird Softball Set To Open Season At USF-Rawlings Invitational

TAMPA, Fla. – To open their 2025 slate, Illinois State will travel to Tampa, Florida, for the second-straight year to participate in the USF-Rawlings Invitational from Feb. 6-8. The Redbirds will take on five teams over a three-day span, including two ranked opponents to begin their competitive preseason tournament schedule.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 6 – Illinois State vs. Delaware – 10:30 a.m. CT
Thursday, Feb. 6 – Illinois State at South Florida – 4 p.m. CT
Friday, Feb. 7 – Illinois State vs. Georgia Southern – 1:00 p.m. CT
Friday, Feb. 7 – Illinois State vs. No. 2/3 Florida – 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 8 – Illinois State vs. No. 22 Michigan – 9 a.m. CT

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
•    Delaware is coming off arguably its best season in program history, as it set program records for wins in a season (39) and conference wins in a season (21) while tying its program record for longest win streak (13) and longest conference win streak (10). 
•    The host team, South Florida, is seeking a return to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2022 and are coming off back-to-back years with 30-plus victories (32-24 in 2023 and 34-22 in 2024).
•    Georgia Southern is coming off a historic 2024 season, after going 30-21 for its highest winning percentage in the Eagles' Sun Belt tenure and return two of its top three hitters in Emma Davis and Faith Barth who started all 51 games last season.
•    No. 2/3 Florida is coming off a 54-win 2024 season that included a SEC Championship title and the program's 12th trip to the Women's College World Series.
•    No. 22 Michigan posted a 43-18 record in 2024, winning 33 of its final 42 games of the season as the Wolverines captured the Big Ten Tournament title and reached the NCAA regional championship.

NEWS & NOTES
•    Illinois State features four standouts selected for the 2025 All-MVC preseason team in seniors Delainey Bryant and Bella Wilkerson and sophomores Adisyn Hopkins and Paige McLeod. The four selections led all MVC programs.
•    The Redbirds were picked to finish fourth in the 2025 MVC preseason poll, behind reigning back-to-back Missouri Valley Tournament Champion Southern Illinois in first, Belmont in second, and UNI in third.

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