Indiana State University Athletics

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Despite the two campuses being located 45 miles from each other, Indiana State has not faced Eastern Illinois in softball since 2012. Weather permitting, that will change Tuesday when the Sycamores play at the Panthers in a doubleheader set for 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT in Charleston, Illinois.
 
The two teams attempted to play last year before Mother Nature thwarted their plans. Her threats to postpone or cancel remain with a chance of rain in the forecast but as of Monday evening no changes to the schedule have been made.
 
Indiana State (16-14) is coming off a close series loss at Illinois State with a pair of one-run losses (one in extra innings) while Eastern Illinois (24-8) has won seven straight but has not played since Mar. 25. The Panthers are led by former Sycamore standout Kim Schuette, a 2001 graduate of Indiana State University and a former All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree and two-time Academic All-America selection.
 
Quick Hits
• Indiana State returns to action this week with a midweek game at Eastern Illinois.
• The Sycamores hoping to play their first unaltered (due to weather) games since March 13.
• The 16-14 (44) mark by the Sycamores places the team tied for fourth place in the Missouri Valley Conference by win percentage after being selected to finish 10th (last).
• Eastern Illinois is led by a former Sycamore. Kim Schuette is a 2001 graduate of ISU and was an All-MVC honoree and two-time Academic All-American while in Terre Haute.
• The first game will be the 77th meeting between the two schools but the first since 2012.
• The last trip to Charleston for the Trees came back in 2009, a 3-0 loss to the Panthers.
• A young team this year, Indiana State only has four upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) on its 18-member roster.
 
Peterson Named MVC Newcomer of the Week
Indiana State freshman Bella Peterson was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week after posting a 1.083 slugging percentage, recording two assists from the outfield and belting four extra-base hits in the series at Illinois State.
 
Peterson hit .583 and recorded two assists in the outfield in Normal. She registered four extra-base hits (3 doubles and 1 home run) and was 7-for-12 overall with four runs scored and three RBI. Peterson's 1.083 slugging percentage easily led the team. She now has five assists in the outfield this season as a true freshman.
 
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 fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference with a .427 batting average while her on-base percentage of .495 ranks her sixth in The Valley.
 
Mighty Leslie At Bat
Well Leslie Sims may not be a power hitter but that makes her no less effective at the plate. The Sycamore sophomore enters this week's action ranked in the top 60 nationally in both batting average and on-base percentage. That makes her a dangerous threat when you consider her speed...
 
Sims with the Speed
Leslie Sims enters this week's action as one of only two Missouri Valley Conference players that remains perfect in stolen base attempts (with over five attempts on the season). The Sycamore sophomore is currently 9-for-9 on the base paths matching the 100 percent performance by Illinois State's Riley Strandgard (5-for-5).
 
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 43rd in the nation and third in The Valley with an average of 0.41 double plays turned per game.
 
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.