ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Missouri Valley Conference has announced its Apr. 27 selection of weekly awards on Monday afternoon.
Redshirt Sophomore Brayden Bakes and his twin brother, Junior Ryan Bakes, were nominated for their strong performances in Illinois State's four-game stretch of contests that included a 13-6 win against Illinois and a series sweep over Bradley.
Brayden Bakes was named the MVC's Player of the Week, earning a Valley-best third selection of the 2026 campaign for the award. Bakes dominated at the plate for the Redbirds across the week with a combined 10-for-18 performance across Illinois State's four victories. The redshirt sophomore matched a career-best with four hits in the Redbirds' victory over the Fighting Illini and tallied a new career-high mark with three doubles in the win. Eight of his 10 hits were for extra bases, including a run-rule walkoff grand slam in Illinois State's 16-6 win over Bradley.
His twin brother, Ryan Bakes, earned his first career weekly honor after being nominated for the MVC's Newcomer of the Week award. Bakes becomes the seventh different Redbird to receive a weekly honor this season for Illinois State. Across the week, Bakes added six hits, including three hits in the Redbirds' series opener win against Bradley on Friday. All six of the Bakes' hits were for extra bases, including his first career grand slam in Friday's win. With five RBIs in the win, Bakes surpassed a career-best total.
With a grand slam each in Illinois State's Friday night victory, the Bakes brothers became the first pair of twin brothers to record grand slams in the same contest.
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