March 21, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. -
Tyler McNeely was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week Monday, after helping lead the Redbirds to a home-opening victory over SIU Edwardsville and a 2-1 series win against Austin Peay last week at Duffy Bass Field in Normal, Ill.
"Tyler is having a tremendous senior season," Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston said. "He has had some ups and downs, with injury issues throughout his career. Through it all, he has worked hard and persevered, and now that he is healthy, he is getting rewarded. When you stick with something, you get rewarded in life. It is great to see that Tyler is playing so well."
McNeely hit .571 (8-for-14), slugged .929, amassed five RBI and scored four runs during the four-game stretch. The senior from Normal, Ill., also had a team-best three extra-base hits, including two doubles and one home run, and McNeely established a team-high .588 on-base percentage, accumulated 13 total bases and recorded seven putouts without an error in left field.
In ISU's series opener against Austin Peay, McNeely led ISU with a 4-for-4 effort, including four RBI, and three runs scored. McNeely was also the Redbirds' offensive leader in ISU's rubber game victory against the Governors, going 3-for-5 with one run scored.
McNeely now leads the Redbirds with a .375 overall batting average, a .750 slugging percentage and a .538 on-base percentage. The senior outfielder also has a team-best five home runs and 42 total bases, plus six doubles (tied for second-most), 21 hits (tied for second-most) and 18 RBI (second-most).
The player of the week award is the first of McNeely's career, and the first for Illinois State this season. McNeely and the Redbirds (13-6) next travel to West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, for a mid-week game at Purdue (13-6).
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