May 10, 2010
ST. LOUIS -
After top-notch performances in the Illinois State softball team's three-game series sweep against Missouri Valley Conference rival Bradley, Niki Stansell and Megan Warner earned the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference's Top Weekly honors, as announced by the league office Monday afternoon. Stansell was named the MVC Player of the Week, while Warner earned MVC Pitcher of the Week.
"I thought Niki and Megan both had a good series against Bradley," said head coach Melinda Fischer. "I felt Megan definitely started us off the way we wanted her to on Saturday and that continued into Sunday. Niki was a huge offensive catalyst for us during the entire series. She adjusted well to the different spots we put her in the lineup and played really well defensively."
It was the first time either one had earned a weekly honor this season.
Stansell batted .545 (6-for-11) in the three-game series against Bradley with two doubles and a home run, which drove in three Redbird runs. She also tallied six putouts and eight assists. The Meeker, Okla., native did not commit an error over the three-game series.
During Saturday's second game, Stansell doubled to right field and moved to third on a wild pitch. Elizabeth Kay hit a sacrifice fly and pushed across Stansell to increase ISU's lead by two. Stansell's power surge continued in the sixth inning when she hit a three-run homer over the right center field wall increasing ISU's lead by six runs. The home run was the fifth on the season for the senior short stop.
In the series finale Sunday, Stansell recorded two hits and scored two runs in ISU's 6-0 win.
Warner won two games over the weekend and improved her record to 15-8 after throwing 14 shutout innings against the Braves. She also improved her ERA to 1.88. In the two games, the Milan, Ill., native allowed nine hits and walked only two batters in the final regular-season series.
In Saturday's first game, Warner struck out nine Bradley batters, which set a new season and career best for the sophomore hurler, in the 2-0 Redbird win. Warner struck out three and did not allow a walk in Sunday's series finale.
Michelle Henderson, Abby Olson and Kara Nelson also earned Valley Player of the Week honors earlier this season.
The Redbirds will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the 2010 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Softball Tournament Thursday-Saturday. Illinois State will play Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., at Buel Field. ISU's opponent is yet to be determined.
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