May 11, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
As if helping her team secure the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title and being named as a Valley first-team selection weren't enough for a week's work, Illinois State pitcher Stacy Birk has been named the Prairie Farms Missouri Valley Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
This is the second time this season that Birk has earned such honors, as the Huntington Beach, Calif. native was awarded the same title on March 9. Birk, who boasts a 3.39 GPA in industrial technology, earned both of Illinois State's wins over Missouri State on Sunday, May 7, leading the `Birds to their first league championship since 2003. In addition to just one run scored in two games against Missouri State, the junior right-hander shut down Northern Illinois earlier in the week, allowing just three hits and a walk in the complete game win. On the week, Birk earned all three Redbird wins, while compiling a 0.33 ERA.
Just last night, Birk was selected as a MVC first-team pick after recording an 11-4 mark in conference action, with five shutouts and 81 strikeouts.
Birk and the entire Illinois State softball team looks to defend its regular-season title this afternoon, as the No. 1 seeded Redbirds open play at the 2006 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Omaha, Neb. with a 4 p.m. matchup against the winner of the game between Wichita State and Drake.
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