ON DECK
Illinois State softball heads to Chicago for a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader against UIC on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT at Flames Field, and both games will be streamed on ESPN+. The Redbirds have won three-straight contests over the Flames and lead the all-time series, 14-7.
LAST TIME OUT
Illinois State split its doubleheader against Valparaiso last Friday, winning game one, 9-2, before falling, 7-1, in the nightcap that featured several weather delays and was eventually called off early in the sixth inning. The game one win marked ISU's  20th victory this season, making it five straight seasons with at least 20 wins for the Redbirds.
MELINDA FISCHER FIELD DEDICATION
Illinois State Athletics will officially dedicate the softball field inside Marian Kneer Stadium as Melinda Fischer Field on April 11, honoring the Hall of Fame career of former Redbird head coach Melinda Fischer. The dedication ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m. CT, prior to Illinois State's series finale against Indiana State, which is set for a 2 p.m. CT first pitch.
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Over 39 seasons as a collegiate head coach (at both Eastern Illinois and Illinois State), Fischer amassed 1,159 wins, ranking her as the 18th-winningest coach in NCAA Division I softball history.
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Her ISU softball head coaching record stands at 1,118-842-4 (.569), giving her the most wins by a female or male head coach in the University's history.
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Two Regional Coach of the Year citations, 28 All-American selections, 152 All-Region honorees, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and countless other honors highlight Illinois State's success under Fischer's guidance.
BELLA BOMBS
Senior Bella Atkinson hit two home runs in back-to-back plate appearances against Valparaiso last Friday.
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She became the first Redbird to hit two bombs in a single game since Emme Olson versus Jacksonville State on Feb. 25, 2023.
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She is just the 12th player in the NCAA this season to record a home run in consecutive plate appearances.
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 During her standout performance, she also recorded a career-high six RBIs, joining Lauren Flowers as the only Redbirds to record six RBIs in a single game since Alyssa Wiebel versus NC State on Feb. 8, 2019.
MVC WEEKLY HONORS
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Ava Boyer was named the MVC Freshman of the Week (April 7) for the first time in her career after leading Illinois State with a .625 batting average (5-for-8) with three doubles, one RBI, two stolen bases and four runs scored over the last three games.
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Morgan Calhoun earned MVC Freshman of the Week (March 10) for the second consecutive week after batting .444 (4-for-9) with a triple, a home run, four RBIs, three runs scored and three walks in a three-game series versus Evansville. She went 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored in the 3-2 series-opening win.
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Two Redbirds earned MVC honors on March 3, as Hannah Meeks was named MVC Player of the Week and Calhoun earned MVC Freshman of the Week. Meeks hit .538 (7-for-13) at the Make It Happen Games with four doubles, a grand slam and six RBIs while posting a 1.077 SLG% and .571 OB%. Calhoun hit .500 (9-for-18) with two home runs, six RBIs and five runs scored over the weekend in Madeira Beach.
BOYER DOUBLES DOWN X3
Freshman Ava Boyer set the program record for doubles in a single game with three against the Fighting Illini. It is also tied for the most doubles in a single game in the NCAA this season. Boyer went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and three runs scored, marking the first four-hit game of her career and becoming the second Redbird to record four hits in a game this season.
WHEN IT'S LATE, IT'S MESHNICK
Senior Hannah Meshnick earned her fifth save this season when she entered in relief against the Fighting Illini with two outs in the sixth. Her five saves are the second-most in a single season in school history and are tied for fourth-most in the nation. Meshnick holds the program record with 12 career saves.
ASSIST-KINSON
Bella Atkinson has been busy at third base, leading the conference and ranking 29th in the nation with 89 total assists this season. The senior also ranks seventh in the NCAA with 2.78 assists per game.
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