NORMAL — Illinois State softball owns one victory over a Big Ten team this season, with the Redbirds defeating then-No. 16 Indiana 3-0 in Baton Rouge, La., on March 2.
Roughly a month later, coach Melinda Fischer's squad can double that output against a similarly challenging opponent. Illinois State (11-20) makes the 55-mile trip to Eichelberger Field this afternoon for a 5 p.m. date with Illinois (22-9), an outfit sitting just outside the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25. Should the Redbirds succeed versus the Illini for the first time since April 4, 2012, it'd have a little extra meaning for three particular athletes who left their mark on the area high school softball scene during standout prep careers.