Feb. 22, 2010
NORMAL, Ill. - Kevin Tokarski was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week Monday, after leading Illinois State in hits, doubles and stolen bases during the Redbirds season-opening weekend action at the Riverview Inn Classic in Clarksville, Tenn. Tokarski knocked the first pitch of the 2010 season for a triple and finished the weekend with a game-tying, two-RBI double in the ninth inning of the Redbirds 15-8 come-from-behind win against Austin Peay.
The triple served notice that Tokarksi, who missed the 2009 season while recovering from wrist surgery, is back. The redshirt sophomore from Downers Grove, Ill., scored four runs and drove in three while batting .538 (7-for-13) in Illinois State's first three games. Tokarski, who set a school record for steals (32) while earning Valley Freshman of the Year honors in 2008, swiped three bases and knocked three doubles.
"We're very excited to have (Chad Hinshaw and Tokarski) at the top of the lineup," Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston said following Friday's season opener. "I feel great for Kevin Tokarski. It's been a long time since he's been able to play. He's gone through surgeries and rehab and it's great to see him back out on the field. He's a tremendous player and is going to be a great spark for us at the top of the lineup."
Tokarski was 3-for-4 in Sunday's win over Austin Peay, including a double to the gap in left center to plate the tying runs in the top of the ninth inning. Tokarski reached base six times Sunday, after drawing three walks, and posted a .647 on-base percentage for the weekend.
The 2008 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Honorable Mention selection will lead the Redbirds to Florida and the RussMatt Invitational next weekend (Feb. 27-March 1) in Winterhaven, Fla. Illinois State will compete against Northeastern (Feb. 27), St. Bonaventure (Feb. 28), Duquesne (Feb. 28) and Western Michigan (March 1) during the three-day event.
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