Knight, Redbird Softball Trying To Bounce Back In Spring Fling

Image courtesy of goredbirds.com

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Softball team has had a rough start to the preseason due to not finishing games. But the Redbirds have received help from freshman Abby Knight.

Starting the preseason 1-8 is not how any team wants to start a season but there are hopes for a turning point. ISU put one in the win column last Sunday, against Portland State, winning 6-2.

“We have not been able to keep those leads and have been playing from behind. We have come back and tied it and were having trouble completing a complete ball game and we finally did that Sunday against Portland State”.

The freshman stepped up during the Littlewood Classic tournament in Tempe, Arizona. Especially freshman Abby Knight who hit two home runs in her opening tournament and was named MVC newcomer of the week.

The question is if the freshman can keep these numbers up the rest of the season. Coach Fisher certainly thinks so.

“You know they are capable of it, their very good players coming in that is why we recruited them,” said Fischer. “They have certainly taken advantage of their opportunities early on here and we definitely hope that continues, it is only helping our team.”

Going into this weekend the Redbirds will be seeing temperatures they have not seen yet this season. Coach Fischer sees the weather as an element they must get used to when they open their season at home.

“That’s probably going to be the temperature when we start our home series, so we have to get used to it,” said Fischer. “You need to adjust to the elements whatever the elements are.”

ISU will open the Hilltopper Spring Fling in Bowling green, Kentucky against a University of Ohio team who also not had a hot start to the season. Ohio currently has a record of 1-4.

Following the Spring Fling the Redbirds will have two more out of state tournaments before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play.