The Illini softball team is traveling to the West Coast over spring break for the 15-team Capital Classic, hosted by Sacramento State University.

Head coach Terri Sullivan’s squad will play five games in three days against Iowa State (9-18), Georgia Southern (10-12), Pittsburgh (7-11), Idaho State (2-17) and Sacramento State (4-13).

“Heading into the tournament our goal is a sweep,” Sullivan said. “The best preparation is knowing that you are prepared and confident and really composed.”

The Illini enter the tournament after two weeks of break since their last game action. For the first time since the fall, the team left the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility and was able to practice outside.

“(The team) gets a little extra energy,” Sullivan said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better week of preparation. That’s credit to the grounds crew. It really made our team feel prepared going into the weekend.”

The team will enter the tournament with a fielding percentage of just .947. That ranks the Illini eighth in the Big Ten. Sullivan said she has stressed fundamentals in practice and wants her team to make more of the routine plays.

The trip will be a homecoming of sorts for four Illini. Freshman pitcher Vicky Brown, junior middle infielder Angelena Mexicano, junior outfielder Makenzie Smith and freshman pitcher Ashley Wright all played high school softball in the Golden State before coming to Champaign.

“I’m excited to go back to the West Coast,” Brown said. “It’s always nice to go home. The weather should be exciting – a little sunshine on the field is always good.”

The Illini will return to the Midwest to play Illinois State in Bloomington on Tuesday before hosting their first home game of the year at Eichelberger Field on Wednesday against Illinois-Chicago.

“We’re very excited to be there,” Sullivan said. “We’d like to start a streak. We’re coming off a weekend at Texas A&M; that got us ready to do that.”