Redbirds Head Back to Florida for Make It Happen Games

ON DECK
The Illinois State softball team is heading back to the Sunshine State for the Make It Happen Games in Maderia Beach, Fla., from Feb. 27-March 1 at the Maderia Beach Softball Complex. The Redbirds will open play at 9 a.m. on Friday morning with a game against Colgate, followed by a matchup with Bowling Green. The Redbirds have never played against the Raiders, but they lead the all-time series against the Falcons, 5-2. On Saturday, the Redbirds will meet Albany at 9 a.m., followed by Siena, who the Birds have never played. UAB leads the all-time series against ISU, 1-0. The Redbirds will wrap action on Sunday with a morning game against UMass, who the Redbirds last played in 2013 and have faced four times overall.

WATCH LIVE THIS WEEKEND
Families and fans can watch each tournament game in Maderia Beach this weekend for free here. Those who create a quick fan account will be granted free access to the livestream.

LAST TIME OUT
The Redbirds went 4-2 at the Silicon Valley Invitational from Feb. 12-15, earning wins over UC-Santa Barbara, San Jose State and Utah.

EXTRAS, EXTRAS, READ ALL ABOUT IT
The Redbirds came out victorious in their first extra inning game of the season, beating Utah, 6-5, in 10 innings on Feb. 14.
ISU trailed, 3-2, heading into the sixth frame when junior Ella Boyer brought the tying run home with a double.
The Birds and Utes traded scoreless innings before ISU plated two in the top of the 10th, highlighted by the go-ahead RBI double off the bat of sophomore Tatum Wolford.

BEST START THROUGH 10 GAMES
After defeating San Jose State, 11-5, on Feb. 14, the Redbirds improved their season record to 6-4, marking the best start through 10 games since opening the season 7-3 in 2021.

KEMP OUT OF THE 'PEN
After San Jose State took a 4-3 lead in the third inning, Gracelyn Kemp came out of the bullpen and shut the Trojans down en route to her first career victory in the circle. The sophomore fanned a career-high six batters in 4.2 innings of work. 

HITTING IS CONTAGIOUS
The Redbirds displayed their best offensive performance of the season so far in the 11-5 win over San Jose State. ISU recorded 15 hits, and four Redbirds posted multi-hit games. Trailing 4-3 after three innings, the Redbirds used their biggest inning of the season in the fourth to take control. ISU sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs on six hits, highlighted by RBI singles from Julia Larson, Tatum Wolford and Bella Atkinson, a two-run triple off the bat of Morgan Calhoun and a sacrifice fly from Taylor Liebelt.
Offensive Highlights:
Morgan Calhoun: 3-for-3, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 R
Julia Larson: 3-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R
Bella Atkinson: 3-for-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R
Tatum Wolford: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 BB, RBI, 3 

For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball) and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball). 

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