ST. LOUIS - Paul DeJong has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, as announced by the Valley offices Monday afternoon. DeJong becomes the third Redbird to secure Valley honors this season. Logan Leverett was named Player of the Week on March 24 and Dylan Craig earned Pitcher of the Week honors on March 10.
DeJong batted .435/.500/.783 to guide Illinois State to a perfect 5-0 record last week, as he went 10-for-23 with two doubles, two home runs and nine RBI. He launched a two-run home run in Illinois State's 3-2 12-inning win over Southern Illinois on Friday night. Saturday, with winds blowing in at 15 miles per hour, DeJong slapped a solo home run over the fence in right field to give ISU and early lead in its 2-1 extra-inning win over the Salukis. DeJong reached base twice and brought home the first run in a three-run eighth inning rally as Illinois State came-from-behind to defeat SIU Sunday. Over the course of the week he added one stolen base and played error-free defense at second base, third base and shortstop.
The Redbirds, winners of seven-consecutive games, conclude a five-game homestand Tuesday night versus Purdue. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. from Duffy Bass Field.
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