NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State head softball coach Melinda Fischer released the full 2019 softball schedule on Friday. The Redbirds will play in five nonconference tournaments to start the season, while hosting 14 Missouri Valley Conference games at Marian Kneer Stadium and a game against Big Ten opponent Iowa.
Illinois State's nonconference slate features eight NCAA Tournament teams from 2018, including Women's College World Series participants Florida and Arizona State.
"Once again, we are playing a very tough pre-conference schedule," Fischer said. "Nine teams were in the NCAA Tournament last season, including Arizona State and Florida, who made it to the Women's College World Series.