Illinois State Releases Fall 2017 Schedule

NORMAL – The Illinois State softball team released its fall 2017 schedule as announced by head coach Melinda Fischer on Wednesday. The Redbirds will play in eight exhibition games between September and October per the NCAA.
 
“In the fall, we really try to get the most competitive schedule we can,” Fischer said. “This is our best evaluation time. Everybody gets an opportunity at various positions. We really try to see as many people in as many different situations for evaluation purposes.”
 
Illinois State will welcome Illinois Central College and Heartland back-to-back Wednesdays in mid-September. The Redbirds will conclude the month, hosting Notre Dame for a Sunday doubleheader.
 
“I’m excited that Notre Dame will be coming to Normal at the end of September,” Fischer said. “Last year, we didn’t have the use of our field because of construction. I’m very appreciative that we could put this on the schedule this fall. It is very valuable competition for our program and to have them on our field is a great opportunity.”
 
The Redbirds will take on three additional opponents in October: Parkland, Illinois and Wisconsin. ISU will travel to the Illini Fall Classic II for a pair of games on Oct. 1 versus Parkland at 10:30 a.m. and host, Illinois at 12:15 p.m. Illinois State wraps up play at Wisconsin on Oct. 7 with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. in Madison, Wisconsin.
 
ISU concludes the fall slate with Parents’ Day in the second Sunday in October as the final preparations before the 2017 spring season.
 
“After the fall season, we want to be able to determine our strengths and weaknesses so that we can be a much better team when we start in January,” Fischer said.