NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball has announced its competitive 2024 schedule, announced by head coach Tina Kramos. The slate features eight Power Five foes and six teams that made 2023 NCAA softball tournament appearances. The Redbirds will make their first appearance on the diamond at the University of South Florida Tournament on February 9, against Bethune-Cookman University.
The Redbirds are set to participate in five pre-season tournaments before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play on the road March 15, at Missouri State University.
"We are excited to announce our 2024 spring schedule," said second-year head coach Tina Kramos. "We have put together another highly competitive preseason, facing programs from almost every region of the country. With the high talent pool in the Valley, MVC play will be highly competitive as always, and we are excited for the challenge."
University of South Florida Tournament | Tampa, Fla. | Feb. 8-10
Illinois State softball will return to the University of South Florida Tournament in Tampa, Fla., which is hosted on the campus of the USF Bulls. The 'Birds open the season with a contest against Bethune-Cookman, a team the Redbirds have only faced once before, securing the 5-2 victory on February 8, 2014. The 'Birds will then take on the host team at 3:00 PM to close out the first day of action. On Friday, ISU takes on Michigan, the alma-mater of assistant coach, Kristina Burkhardt, in the first of two pre-season games against the Wolverines. Â The Redbirds will close out the tournament against Oregon State and Florida. The Beavers and the 'Birds battled it out last February ending in a 1-0 loss in the first-ever matchup between the two programs.
Littlewood Classic | Temple/Phoenix, Ariz. | Feb. 16-18
This marks the 19th time the Redbirds will compete in the Littlewood Classic, since its creation in 2005. In the 2023 Littlewood Classic, freshman, Hannah Meshnick, tossed a no-hitter to earn MVC Newcomer of the Week. Play will take place not only at the home of Arizona State (Alberta F. Farrington Stadium in Tempe), but also at Grand Canyon's GCU Softball Stadium in Phoenix. The 'Birds start off the tournament with a matchup against Brigham Young, a matchup that went eight innings last season, ending in a one-run loss for Illinois State. On Friday night, ISU faces the host team, Arizona State, before making the trip to Phoenix on Saturday to play the University of California and GCU. This marks the second time GCU and ISU will meet, the first coming a year ago at the 2022 Littlewood Classic. The 'Birds close out play out west on Sunday, February 18, against Virginia Tech at 10:30 AM.
University of Arkansas Invitational | Fayetteville, Ark. | Feb. 22-25
A new trip for the Redbirds comes in Fayetteville with the addition of the University of Arkansas Invitational. The field includes the host Razorbacks, as well as UT Arlington, and former Valley foe, Wichita State. The 'Birds will get two chances at each of the teams in the field beginning with Arkansas on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 4:00 PM. Illinois State has the edge in the all-time series with the Shockers, as the series sees a 16-to-15 advantage for the 'Birds, as the two last met in 2017. The long-standing history between the 'Birds and the Mavericks began on April 5, 1980, with the lastest game dating back to 1992. ISU will play double headers on Friday and Saturday, with single games on Thursday and Sunday.
SIUE Cougar Invite | Edwardsville, Ill. | March 1-3
The Redbirds will stay on the road for an in-state tournament at SIUE to begin March. SIUE will host Illinois State along with St.Thomas, Loyola, and Creighton, another former Valley competitor who the 'Birds haven't faced since 2012. Tournament play begins on Friday, Mar. 1, against St. Thomas at 5:00 PM, with two games following on both Saturday and Sunday. The matchup with Creighton marks the final game of the tournament at 2:00 PM on Mar. 3, before the 'Birds head back to Normal.
Northern Kentucky Invitational | Highland Heights, Ky. | March 8-10
The last pre-season tournament before MVC play takes place in Kentucky, for the NKU Invitational. The 'Birds will begin the four-game weekend with a doubleheader against the host team beginning at 12:00 PM on Mar. 8. The Redbirds and Norse have only faced each other once before, a matchup on Feb 27, 2021, ending in a 4-0 Redbird shutout victory. Â In a single game on Saturday, Mar. 9, ISU will take on Bowling Green, followed by Michgan on Sunday, Mar. 10, the second pre-season matchup against the Wolverines.
Inside the Schedule
After the conclusion of pre-season play, the Redbirds go on the road to Springfield, Mo., to begin conference play at Missouri State on Friday, Mar. 15.
After the first MVC series, the 'Birds host their home opener against Illinois, a longtime Big 10 foe. The 'Birds sealed the 3-2 victory over the Illini back in April. The Redbirds will also take on another non-conferenceopponent, on the road, at DePaul. The 2023 home victory against the Blue Demons earned head coach, Tina Kramos, her first-career victory at home.
The Redbirds will host Murray State (Mar. 22-24), Bradley (Mar 26&27), Drake (Mar. 29-31), Valparaiso (April 12-14), and Evansville (May 3-5) at home, while going on the road to Missouri State (Mar. 15-17), Indiana State (April 19-21), UIC (Aprl 5-7), and Northern Iowa (April 26-28).
The 'Birds will not take on 2023 MVC Champions Southern Illinois, or Belmont this year in conference play this season.
The MVC softball tournament returns to Normal this year and will be hosted by the Redbirds at Marian Kneer Stadium from May 8-11.
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