DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Illinois State
DePaul Opens Final Homestand with Tuesday Tilt Against Illinois State
4/20/2026 4:38:00 PM | SOFTBALL
Blue Demons and Redbirds meet at 3 p.m. in Lincoln Park
CHICAGO – DePaul softball begins its final homestand of the 2026 season with a matchup against Illinois State on Tuesday, April 21.
The afternoon matchup is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch and will be streamed live on ESPN+. Live stats can be followed here. Admission at Cacciatore Stadium is free for all fans.
Demon Doings
- DePaul holds a 17-25 overall record, with a 6-12 mark in BIG EAST play and are coming off a road series win over Seton Hall, taking two of three games last weekend.
- Sophomore outfielder Jolie Adams leads the DePaul offense with a .429 batting average, the second highest in the BIG EAST, and enters Tuesday on an 11-game hitting streak.
- Sophomore first baseman Chelsea Parker has a team-best 11 home runs, good for fourth-most in the BIG EAST.
- As a team, DePaul remains aggressive on the basepaths with 62 stolen bases this season, the second-most in the conference.
- Hannah Messer leads the DePaul pitching staff with a 4.91 ERA across 31 appearances this season.
Scouting Illinois State
- Illinois State is 25-15 overall with a 14-8 record in Missouri Valley Conference play.
- Senior Bella Atkinson paces the offense with a .407 batting average and 23 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs.
- Junior Paige McLeod leads the pitching staff with a team-best 2.48 ERA, 70 strikeouts, and a 17-3 record in the circle this season.
- As a team, Illinois State leads the Missouri Valley Conference with 77 doubles on the season.
- Tina Kramos is in her 26th season at Illinois State and her fourth as head coach of the program.
Series Stuff
- Illinois State leads the all-time series 21-19-1.
- The last meeting between the Redbirds and the Blue Demons came in 2023, resulting in a 10-3 Illinois State victory.
Up Next
The Blue Demons will close out their final homestand with a three-game BIG EAST series against Butler, April 24-26. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Follow the Blue Demons
For all the latest information on DePaul Softball, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
