T-town Grads Meet as Bradley Takes On Illinois State

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Published on April 22 2019 2:11 pm
Last Updated on April 22 2019 2:11 pm

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team will continue Missouri Valley Conference this Tuesday when it travels to Bradley for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. The pair of games between the Redbirds and the Braves will wrap up a three-game set, as Bradley took the first game of the series, 8-4, at Marian Kneer Stadium on April 10.

SERIES HISTORY

Illinois State holds a commanding 70-23 series advantage over Bradley, winning five of the last 10 outings against the Braves. ISU and Bradley split the doubleheader at Petersen Hotels Field and the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex last season, before the Braves took the series finale at Marian Kneer Stadium, 6-5. In a span of 32 games from the 2005 season to the 2015 slate, the Redbirds had only dropped five contests.

SCOUTING BRADLEY

Bradley enters Tuesday’s doubleheader with an overall record of 23-17 and a 10-7 mark in MVC play, sitting at No. 4 in the Valley standings. The Braves most recently hosted UNI, as the Panthers took the series, 2-1, despite Bradley’s 9-1 series-opening run-rule victory. Bradley is led at the plate by Allison Apke (Teutopolis graduate), who is batting .372 on the year with 10 home runs, while Grace French is commanding the circle with a 1.20 ERA.

LAST TIME OUT

The Illinois State softball team limited the league-leading Drake Bulldogs to just three runs in Saturday’s series finale, as Drake took all three games from the Redbirds. Riley Hale registered the first hit of the game for the Redbirds in the top of the fourth, but was unable to move into scoring position. The senior’s hit off of Drake standout Nicole Newman marked the second of the weekend off of the hurler for Hale. Shannon Felde tallied ISU’s second hit of the game in the top of the sixth to spoil Newman’s one-hitter, but the Bulldogs fought off any ISU threat to take the game, 3-0. Morgan Day pitched three innings of relief on Saturday, giving up just a single hit and one walk, while fanning five Drake batters.

ON DECK

Illinois State will host Loyola Chicago for its final home series of the season. The Redbirds will recognize their five seniors – Ali Domkuski, Shannon Felde, Riley Hale, Kori Mesecher and Allison Spence – at the conclusion Sunday’s game. Illinois State's Anni and Kadi Borries are also Teutopolis graduates.

REGGIE’S KIDS CLUB DAY / DOUBLE-FOR-DOUBLE DAY

The Illinois State softball team will host Reggie's Kids Club Day on Saturday, April 27, when the Redbirds host Loyola Chicago at Marian Kneer Stadium. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 12 p.m. Activities will begin at 11 a.m. outside the gates of Marian Kneer Stadium with a pre-game fun zone. Kids club members will get to play yard games, including corn hole and giant Jenga prior to first pitch. One lucky Reggie's Kids Club member will have the opportunity to announce the Redbird softball batters during the game. There will also be an ISU-branded water bottle and Reggie Redbird foam finger giveaway at the gate, while supplies last.

Additionally, Saturday's doubleheader will serve as a Double-for-Double Day, as ISU students will earn double reward points for attending the games. The concession stand will feature a special for all fans – a free soda with a popcorn purchase.

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