McLean County Times

Illinois State's softball team, known as the Redbirds, is preparing to travel for a series against Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. The three-game weekend conference series will commence at Ron Buel Field starting Friday. Scheduled start times are 5 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. on Saturday, and noon on Sunday. All games will be complemented by live stats available via StatBroadcast, and fans can access streams on ESPN+.

Currently, the Redbirds hold a lead in the historical series against the Bulldogs with a record of 29-23, but Drake has been competitive, especially at home. Last season, Drake managed to secure two wins out of three matches played in Normal.

Drake has recently improved its season record to 11-20 after achieving three wins in four games, including a particularly strong performance against Western Illinois scoring 14 runs. Freshman standout Ava Curry leads Drake's offensive line with a .364 batting average. Senior pitcher Paige Bedsworth, with a 4-1 record and a 1.55 ERA, anchors the Bulldogs' pitching lineup.

Illinois State enters the series having won four consecutive games, further boasting five wins out of their last six. The Redbirds recently clinched a win over Bradley, contributed by Hannah Meshnick’s pitching precision. Abby Knight and Addison Masching lead the Redbird's batting stats, while fielding and pitching have been robust, notably ranking second in fielding percentage in the MVC.

These games are crucial for Illinois State, bringing competition against a team that recently ended a winning streak. The Redbirds are optimistic with key players like Abby Knight, Addison Masching, and Hannah Meshnick stepping up this season, backed by four players who made it to the 2025 All-MVC preseason team.

Fans can stay updated through social media or the GoRedbirds platform, where additional content about the team can be accessed.