ISU softball opener, hoops and hockey on WJBC

Candace Sykes is averaging 10.8 points per game for ISU. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

The Illinois State women’s basketball team has a chance to climb into second place in the Missouri Valley Conference on Friday as the Redbirds host Northern Iowa.

ISU (7-3) trails the second-place Panthers and Missouri State (both 8-3) by a half-game in the MVC.

The game starts one hour earlier than usual at 6:05 p.m. R.C. McBride and Emily Hanley have the call on WJBC 1230 AM, 93.7 FM and here on WJBC.com.

Redbird softball opens in Florida

The Illinois State softball team will begin one of the toughest schedules in the nation Friday when Melinda Fischer’s team open the USF Tournament in Tampa, Fl. on Friday.

ISU will play Maine in an 8:15 a.m. start, then immediately after that, the Redbirds will take the field against Long Island at 10:30 a.m.

You can hear Redbird softball here on WJBC.com.

Blaze back home

The Bloomington Blaze begin a three-game homestand on Friday with a game against the Arizona Sundogs. Greg Halbleib has the call here on WJBC.com.

High school basketball

The Fieldcrest Knigts will host the Heyworth Hornets in a Heart of Illinois boy’s basketball game in Minonk. WJEZ 98.9 FM and WJEZ.com will bring you the play-by-play at 6:50 p.m.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric@wjbc.com.