Illinois State swept through four games at the SEMO Spring Classic, outscoring opponents 37-0 as they improved to 19-5 on the season and moved up one spot to No. 17 while Southern Illinois, after a 4-2 week, remains in the poll at No. 23 in the March 13 ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25. 

The Redbirds won comfortably over the weekend, posting an 8-0 win over MVC foe Bradley, a 7-0 win over host SEMO and a pair of five-inning 11-0 triumphs over IUPUI and Belmont, respectively.

This week, Illinois State opens their home slate with a midweek game against Loyola-Chicago before hosting their conference opener against UNI this weekend.

Southern Illinois dropped to No. 23 after a tough weekend that saw them fall to No. 23 Georgia and No. 25 Florida State at the Florida State Invitational in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Salukis picked up four wins in Tallahassee and improved to 18-5 overall in non-conference action.

SIU is in action today against UAB before hosting Bradley to begin conference play this weekend.

ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll

March 13 – Week of March 5-11

Parenthesis Denotes first place votes.

Dropped Out: NC State and Cal  

Others receiving votes: Cal (47), Florida State (25), Virginia Tech (16), NC State (11), Cal Poly (9), Fresno State (9), North Carolina (6), Fullerton (5).