“Resilient” is how second-year head coach Tina Kramos describes this year’s Illinois State University softball team.
“They are a tough, tough group of young ladies,” Kramos said. “We have gone through some injuries, we have played a very tough schedule, and they have stayed mentally and physically tough throughout this season. If they’ve got an out, they’ve got a chance. They just never ever give up.”
The fourth-seeded Redbird softball team (22-30) rides a three-game winning streak into this week’s single-elimination Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament, which Illinois State hosts at Marian Kneer Stadium in Normal.
As one of the top-four seeds, Illinois State (16-11 MVC) has a first-round bye and will face No. 5 Bradley, which beat No. 12 Valparaiso in the opening round, in the tournament quarterfinal Thursday, May 9, at 1 p.m. The Redbirds swept Bradley during the regular season.
“It’s huge to be able to host. It allows us a little bit more ability to stay on our regular schedules,” Kramos said. “It’s also always great to play in front of your friends and family and our Redbird softball fans.”
Illinois State enters as one of the tournament’s top offensive teams, having led the MVC with a .304 team batting average against league opponents. Junior infielder Delainey Bryant is tied for first in league hits (56) and amassed a 31-game on-base streak earlier this season, while freshman designated player Adisyn Hopkins ranks third in conference batting average (.357).
In the circle, freshman pitcher Paige McLeod (15-9) is tied for eighth in the MVC with a 2.57 ERA. She tossed her second-career no-hitter May 3 against Evansville.
“It’s a fun group because we have a lot of young players who contribute, and we have a lot of older, seasoned veterans who are contributing,” Kramos said. “It’s really special to see how the older players have taken our younger players under their wings and included them and are helping them.”
The Redbirds also grew collectively by facing a challenging nonconference schedule, which included four games against nationally ranked opponents.
“It certainly prepares you for everything,” Kramos said. “The Valley is a strong conference, so it’s really good to get out there and play those (ranked) teams early. You’re comparing yourself against the best in the country, and hopefully it helps us be prepared for a weekend like this.”
According to Kramos, her team needs to focus on playing “Redbird softball” to have success in the conference tournament.
“We’re going to have to bring all aspects of the game,” Kramos said. “We have to pitch well, we have to play good defense, and we have to have timely hits. If we can do those things, I think you can put us up against anybody. We’ll be ready to go.”
Illinois State softball has won six MVC Tournament titles, most recently in 2012. Kramos said she is excited for her team to play this year’s tournament in front of a home crowd.
“It’s so fun to have these young women be able to play at home and show what they can do and show our community what they can do here at Illinois State,” Kramos said. “This team is a whole lot of fun. They’re resilient, and they’re going to fight, fight, fight.”
Tickets, which can be purchased at Marian Kneer Stadium each day of the tournament one hour before the first game, include: adult all-tournament pass: $25; youth all-tournament pass: $20; adult single day pass: $12; youth single day pass: $8. Cash and credit are accepted.
All games will be streamed on ESPN+, with the first round on May 8, the quarterfinals on May 9, the semifinals on May 10, and the championship on May 11 at 1 p.m. The winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
