MVC Scholar-Athlete Release

ST. LOUIS - Missouri State sophomore Jordan Knutson has been selected as the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Knutson was honored for his performance during the period of April 6-12, over which the Bears went 4-0 to extend their road win streak to eight games.

Knutson earned his second mound victory of the season with his 2-0 victory that wrapped up the Bears' first MVC road series sweep in six years Sunday at Evansville. The Missouri State left-hander fanned five Purple Aces, scattered five hits and walked three in combining with Bryan Young on MSU's fourth shutout of the season. After escaping several early jams, Knutson gave UE little to work with down the stretch, facing just one hitter over the minimum in his final four innings of work.

The Lee's Summit, Mo., product maintains a 3.73 GPA as a construction management major at Missouri State and ranks among the conference's individual leaders in earned run average (4th) and opponent average (10th) this season. Knutson, who also picked up MVC Pitcher of the Week recognition on Monday, joins Dylan Becker (April 1) on MSU's list of MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week award winners this season.

To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.

Missouri State (24-8), ranked as high as No. 15 this week, will look to extend a seven-game win streak in its series with Kansas this evening when the Bears and Jayhawks square off in a 6:30 p.m. contest at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.