Illinois State softball releases 2017 schedule

Posted on November 9, 2016

Melinda Fischer’s Redbirds open the 2017 season at South Florida on Feb. 9. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – The Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and a slate of 15 home games highlight the Redbirds’ 2017 softball schedule, announced by head coach Melinda Fischer on Tuesday.

The Redbirds, who wrapped up the 2016 season in the semifinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, will compete in five tournaments to begin the season away from home: USF, Arizona State, Western Kentucky, LSU and Florida Atlantic. The nonconference slate features 11 NCAA Tournament teams from 2016, including Super-Regional winners Michigan and LSU.

“It’s an extremely competitive and challenging schedule and one that I’m really looking forward to this season,” Fischer said. “We’re a little bit older and more mature with more experience. I’m excited to see what happens against a similar schedule to last season.”

The Redbirds begin their spring season at USF on Feb. 9, followed by four tournament weekends before MVC play begins on March 17 at Indiana State. The team will also play at Wichita State, the reigning MVC Tournament champion, and Illinois, a 2016 NCAA Tournament squad.

“This schedule really prepares us for almost everything we will see in the Valley,” Fischer said. “That’s been our philosophy to go out and play the best you can in preparation for what the Valley brings.”

Illinois State opens its home slate with seven-consecutive games beginning with MVC foe Southern Illinois April 1-2. The Redbirds will take on the DePaul Blue Demons in a midweek matchup on April 5 before wrapping up the week against Loyola, April 8-9.

The Redbirds will play a home-and-home with Bradley in Normal on April 19 and in Peoria on April 25. The squad will host Missouri State (April 22-23) and Northern Iowa (May 6-7) with a conference trip to Evansville in between (29-30).

Illinois State will serve as host of the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference tournament for the third time, May 11-13.

“We’re looking forward to every game,” Fischer said. “There’s no game that’s bigger than the next one. We just have to make sure we’re mentally and physically prepared to handle the travel, strength of schedule, and be competitive every time we get on the field.”

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