STILLWATER, Okla. – Behind a four-over opening round of 76 from sophomore Avalon Woodward, the Illinois State Redbirds closed play in the program's first NCAA Regional appearance since 2013.
Baylor – ranked 17th in the country - leads the field after 18 holes with a four-over 292, while #31 Clemson (293), #6 Oklahoma State (296), and #7 Arizona State (296) round out the top four schools in the field. Illinois State's 327 is just five strokes away from Tulane a dozen strokes from 42nd-ranked Campbell, and 14 strokes from 19th-ranked Auburn.
Woodward – who stands tied for 21st in the field - played her final nine holes at even par, including a birdie on the par-three seventh hole, while carding 12 pars and five bogeys on her round.