TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State will open up Missouri Valley Conference play with its home opener this weekend when Valparaiso visits with a three-game series at Price Field.
The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at Noon and a single game on Sunday at Noon. All three games will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3.
Quick Hits
• Indiana State will open up its home schedule and Valley play this weekend by hosting Valparaiso, the newest member of the Missouri Valley Conference.
• The 12-8 mark by the Sycamores places the team in third place in the Missouri Valley Conference by win percentage after being selected to finish 10th (last).
• The Sycamores lead the all-time series against Valpo, 8-2, and have won eight straight in the series.
• This weekend's meeting marks the first time the two teams have met on the diamond since 2010.
• This weekend's action marks Indiana State's opening games in Missouri Valley Conference play this season.
• A young team this year, Indiana State only has four upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) on its 18-member roster.
Valley Opener
This weekend's series against Valparaiso marks the opening series of Missouri Valley Conference play for both teams - and Valpo's inaugural Valley series. While the Crusaders are looking to start play in their new home off on the right foot, the Sycamores are looking for a better start than in years past. Indiana State has only posted a .500 record or better in its opening Valley series in four of the last 10 years.
Opening Series for ISU in The Valley
| Year |
W-L |
Opponent |
Gm 1 Result |
Year |
W-L |
Opponent |
Gm 1 Result |
| 2017 |
0-3 |
Illinois State |
L |
2012 |
0-3 |
Drake |
L |
| 2016 |
1-2 |
Bradley |
W |
2011 |
0-3 |
Drake |
L |
| 2015 |
2-1 |
Wichita State |
W |
2010 |
0-2 |
Creighton |
L |
| 2014 |
1-1 |
Evansville |
L |
2009 |
2-1 |
Wichita State |
L |
| 2013 |
1-2 |
Wichita State |
L |
2008 |
1-1 |
Missouri State |
W |
ConsistenTree
Indiana State sophomore
Leslie Sims has been the most consistent Tree to date at the plate this season. She enters this week's play ranked third in the Missouri Valley Conference with a .389 batting average while her on-base percentage of .468 ranks her seventh in The Valley.
Trees Turn Two
Indiana State's defense has been seemingly on point with runners on base this year. The Sycamores enter this week's action ranked 33rd in the nation and third in The Valley with an average of 0.45 double plays turned per game.
Get In Gher
When
Della Gher (pronounced: GEAR) enters the game, go ahead and shut it down. She currently ranks second in the nation and first in the Missouri Valley Conference with four saves this season. She's already etched her name in Indiana State's record books - see the next note for more information.
Della Gher
| Category |
National |
MVC |
Stat |
| Saves |
2 |
1 |
4 |
Get In Gher - Part II
When
Della Gher (pronounced: GEAR) registered her second save of the young 2018 season in an 8-7 win over Tennessee State on Feb. 17, she forever etched her name into Indiana State history. That marked her seventh career save, setting a new school record for the Sycamores. She surpassed the six career saves Darcy Wood recorded from 2005-09. Gher currently has eight career saves to her credit.
For the latest information on the Sycamore Softball team, make sure to check out
GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including
Facebook,
Twitter and
Instagram.
