Bryant Named MVC Newcomer of the Week

ST. LOUIS – True freshman Delainey Bryant has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week after her performance in conference play this past week against Bradley and Valparaiso, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday.

Bryant, a Mattoon, Ill. native, played all four of the Redbirds' games, one contest against Bradley and the three-game series versus Valparaiso. She currently leads all freshmen on Illinois State's roster with a .308 batting average across 46 games played, and leads the entire team in triples (5), runs scored (34), stolen bases (10) and runs batted in (28). In conference play, she has 22 hits with 22 runs scored, 17 RBI, and five home runs. 

Over the four-game stint, Bryant was 5-for-11 with a triple, home run, seven runs scored, six RBI, three walks, and a stolen base. She recorded an RBI in every game, and collected two multi-hit contests. In the series opening game against Valparaiso, Bryant was a perfect 1-for-1 with an RBI, two runs scored, and two walks. 

The final two games of the series versus the Beacons were her best. She was 2-for-3 in the 17-0 five-inning, run rule contest. Bryant recorded three RBI, three runs scored, a home run, and a walk, as well as collecting her tenth stolen base of the season. In the series sweeping victory, Bryant was 2-for-4, knocking her fifth triple of the season, and driving in a run while scoring twice. 

She currently ranks in the top 50 in NCAA Division I softball in triples and triples per game. Bryant is tied for 15^th in the nation in triples with five and ranks 26^th in triples per game. Only three freshmen are currently in the top 50 for triples, and only seven in triples per game. 

Weekend stats: 4 GP, 4 GS, 5-for-11, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, SF, 3 BB, 3 SO, SB, 5 PO, 7 A (.455 BA, .909 SLG %, .533 OB %, 1.000 FLD %)

ON DECK

The Redbirds travel to Southern Illinois (25-18-1, 14-10 MVC) on May 6-7 for their final conference series of the 2022 season. 

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