ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Valley Conference announced that six Illinois State softball student-athletes have been selected to All-MVC teams for their performances in conference play during the 2024 season.
Illinois State had six softball student-athletes selected to All-MVC teams. Junior catcher Bella Wilkerson, junior second baseman Delainey Bryant, and freshman designated player Adisyn Hopkins all earned First Team selections while freshman pitcher, Paige McLeod, and junior outfielder, Addison Masching, earned Second Team honors. Jayden Standish earned a spot on the MVC All-Defensive team for the second consecutive year in a row.
Wilkerson, a Mokena, Ill. native, dominated behind the plate during conference play. She was top-ten in both sacrifice bunts as well catching runners stealing. She holds a .356 conference batting average with a .913 OPS. Her 26 hits, two home runs, 15 RBI, and .493 SLG% put her on the all-conference list as well as her 102 putouts and 13 assists with just one lone error.
Bryant, a Mattoon, Ill. native, was selected to the All-MVC First Team for the second time in her career, the first since 2022. Bryant was selected to the Second Team a year ago in 2023. During the conference season, she owned a 31 consecutive game reaching base streak, which was third in the nation, as well as being named MVC Player of the Week Mar. 26. She finished Valley play with a .348 BA, with a .978 OPS, 31 hits, 20 runs, 21 RBI, and a .551 SLG%. In the field, she had 43 putouts and 50 assists. Bryant started every-game at second base for the 'Birds in both Valley play and the overall season.
Hopkins, a Shawnee, Kan. native, earned her first Valley accolade when she was selected to the All-MVC First Team this season during her freshman campaign. Hopkins was the Redbirds main designated player, but also played in three games in the field during Valley play. She earned a team-high .370 BA, with an .830 OPS, with 30 hits, 15 RBI, and a home run. In the field, Hopkins had a 1.000 FLD%, with four putouts and three assists.
Masching, a Pontiac, Ill. native, got selected to the All-MVC Second Team for the first time in her career. The outfielder finished Valley play with a .328 BA, 19 hits, two home runs, and 12 RBI. In the field she had 28 putouts with one assist. Masching had a pivotal week during the season, where she collected eight hits in four games to help the Redbirds earn the series victory over Indiana State and the game-three sweep over I-74 rival, Bradley.
McLeod, a Danville, Calif. Native, was selected to the All-MVC Second Team for the first time in her career. McLeod holds a 3.19 ERA with 12 wins in 96 innings pitched. She has collected 39 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .260 BAA. McLeod also picked up her first-career conference no hitter last week against Evansville, which was her second no-no of the year, and the first at home for the Redbirds in 23 years.
Standish, a Lexington, Ill. native, was selected to the MVC All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive season. At the hot corner, she has 75 assists, with 28 putouts. Standish has helped to turn four double plays, while helping the defense to maintain a strong .959 FLD% in Valley play.
ON DECK
Illinois State (22-30, 16-11 MVC) will stay at home for the upcoming MVC Tournament, being hosted in Normal from May 8-11. The Redbirds will play the winner of No. 5 Bradley and No. 12 Valparaiso on Thursday, May 9 at 1:05 p.m. CT.
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