May 18, 2015

Full MVC Release

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Three Missouri State softball players added Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete first-team honors to already extensive award portfolios, the league office announced on Monday (May 18). Seniors Chelsea Jones and Rebecca McPherson along with sophomore Erin Struemph were tabbed with first-team accolades, the initial top team honors for all three.

Jones, an honorable mention selection the last two seasons, moves up to the first team after a fantastic senior campaign for the Bears. An All-MVC first team pick and NFCA All-Midwest Region second teamer, Jones finished her career in the top-5 all-time in games started, appearances and innings pitched. During her senior campaign, she was slotted into the clean-up role and flourished with a .338 batting average and team-high 12 doubles. From March 28 through April 15, Jones had a 12-game hitting streak during which she raised her average more than 100 points. Jones earned MVC All-Tournament team honors after hitting a double in each of the Bears' games. She also received MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels three times in 2015.

McPherson picks up her first league academic honor after a breakout senior year in which she set the single season school mark with 12 home runs. She was a Capital One Academic All-District VI first team selection and was named to the inaugural MVC All-Defensive Team. She led MSU with 35 runs scored, 31 runs batted in and 100 total bases, one shy of the single season record. Twice in 2015, McPherson was named MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week.

In her first season eligible for the award, Struemph landed on the academic first team. She was an All-MVC first team honoree and was named to the NFCA All-Midwest Region third team. She accounted for half of the Bears' 30 wins by going 15-12 on the year. She led the team with a 3.05 ERA and surpassed her strikeout total from her freshman season. Struemph fired nine complete games and racked up six saves, good for sixth in the nation. She also received MVC All-Tournament team honors after throwing a complete game in the Bears' semifinal victory over Illinois State.

Missouri State won 30 games in 2015, the 11th time in program history that the Bears reached the 30-win plateau. The Bears set single season team records in home runs (48), walks (181), saves (10) and double plays turned (22).

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