Illinois State softball played a team of national all-stars in a doubleheader at the Corn Crib in Normal on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL - The Illinois State softball team concluded its eight-game fall season with a doubleheader against a team of all-stars from the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League Sunday evening at the Corn Crib. The Redbirds lost each game in five innings by the eight run rule, 12-2 in game one and 9-1 in game two.

The games were part of the NPF's third-straight "Back to School Tour." A team of representatives from all four NPF teams (Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Carolina Diamonds and USSSA Pride) is in the process of making 21 stops across 16 states in a 40-day span.

Despite the lopsided results, head coach Melinda Fischer knows her team is better because of the experience gained from playing against some of the world's best players.

"It was a tremendous experience for all of our players to get to go against them," Fischer said. "We wish we could have done some things differently to eliminate some of our mistakes, but it in the long run, it is about what you take away from this. Those professionals made adjustments every at bat, even within every at bat. I think that is the thing that really separates them from what I see in our program right now. It is a tremendous learning experience."