Illinois State softball, seeded No. 4 in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship, prepares to face No. 5 Missouri State after a first-round bye. The matchup is set for Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Ron Buel Field. The Redbirds lead the all-time series against the Bears, having won two out of three games earlier this season. Both teams finished their conference schedules with a 16-11 record, but Illinois State secured the higher seed through a series win during regular play.

By the Numbers
  • Illinois State holds a 72-49 advantage in the all-time series against Missouri State.
  • Both teams finished the regular season with an MVC record of 16-11.
State of Play
  • Illinois State is coming off an 8-5 win in 11 innings against Murray State, securing the No. 4 seed.
  • Missouri State earned a 7-3 victory over UIC in the opening round of the tournament on Wednesday.
What's Next

The winner of the Illinois State vs. Missouri State game will advance to the semifinals of the MVC Championship. Depending on this matchup, future matchups could further solidify the Redbirds' status as a competitive team in the postseason.

Bottom Line

Illinois State's success hinges on key players like Abby Knight and Hannah Meshnick, who will need to perform at a high level to navigate the challenges posed by Missouri State and advance in the MVC Championship.