THIS WEEK
Illinois State softball will begin the 2026 season by returning to the USF-Rawlings Invitational in Tampa, Fla., which is hosted on the University of South Florida campus. The Redbirds open play with a morning contest against Bethune-Cookman on Feb. 5. It will be the third matchup all-time between the two squads, with the series knotted at one win apiece. ISU will then take on host team South Florida, who won the 2025 American Conference Championship and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, to close out the first day of action. On Friday, ISU will meet Kansas for the first time since 2015 and sixth time overall before playing the nightcap against preseason No. 6 Florida, who advanced to the 2025 Women's College World Series before being eliminated by eventual tournament champion Oklahoma. The Redbirds will close out the tournament Saturday morning against Michigan, who also qualified for last year's NCAA Tournament.
ROUNDING OUT THE COACHING STAFF
Head coach Tina Kramos announced the hiring of three new assistant coaches in the offseason, including Brandon Duncan, Jhavon Hayes and Alexis Rudd.
- Duncan brings over 18 years of collegiate coaching experience at various levels with him to the program and will work primarily with the Redbird pitchers and catchers.
- Hayes was a standout softball player at Illinois State from 2009-13, earning four MVC all-conference selections and being named to the NFCA All-Mideast Region Team twice. She finished her career ranked in the top five all-time in ISU program history for career runs scored (150), hits (206), stolen bases (32), home runs (28), walks (84), and RBIs (117).
- Rudd graduated from Southern Illinois in the Spring of 2025 and was a member of three MVC Championship teams while playing for the Salukis as a designated player and pitcher.
MVC PRESEASON HONORS
Illinois State softball was selected fourth in the annual Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches. Senior pitcher Hannah Meshnick also earned preseason All-MVC honorable mention recognition.
- Meshnick made 38 appearances on the mound and started 25 games in 2025, ending with a 9-3 record in Valley play.
- She posted a 3.34 ERA with a team-best 91 strikeouts across 176 innings pitched.
- The senior pitched 10 complete games, including a seven-inning outing against Valparaiso on April 13, when she fanned eight batters and allowed just one run on two hits.
- Meshnick was named MVC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 18, 2025, after not allowing an earned run in 14.1 innings pitched at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge.
CHALLENGING SCHEDULE AWAITS
The 2026 slate features a strong group of non-conference teams and tournaments that will prepare the Redbirds for the rigors of Missouri Valley Conference play. This year's schedule features several games against Power Five foes and contests with seven teams that made 2025 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Redbirds will participate in three preseason tournaments, including this weekend's USF-Rawlings Invitational, before beginning MVC play on the road March 6 at Evansville.
THE ROOKIES
ISU softball welcomed seven freshmen to the program:
- Lexi Brinkman | 5-9 | R/R | Catcher | Mapleton, Ill. | Illini Bluffs HS
- Paige Rummans | 5-10 | R/R | Outfield | Des Moines, Iowa | Saydel HS
- Lauren Flowers | 5-9 | R/R | Utility | Carrollton, Ill. | Carrollton HS
- Taylor Liebelt | 5-7 | R/R | Outfield | Wausau, Wis. | Wausau West HS
- Meghan Lampos | 5-4 | R/R | Pitcher | Genoa City, Wis. | Westosha Central HS
- Morgan Calhoun | 5-8 | R/R | Infield | Pleasant Prairie, Wis. | Indian Trail HS and Academy
- Ava Boyer | 5-1 | R/R | Infield | Tuscola, Ill. | Tuscola HS
AND THE VETS
ISU boasts three seniors on this year's roster:
- After starting 25 games last season and 60 in her career, pitcher Hannah Meshnick is primed for a standout senior season. The Hortonville, Wis., native was named a Preseason All-MVC Honorable Mention selection last month.
- Bella Atkinson started 53 contests for the Redbirds last season while posting six multi-hit games.
- Bailah Bognar has the least playing experience of the three veterans with 38 career games played, but the catcher is primed for a breakout senior year.
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball) and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).
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