Junior Olivia Roark picked up the top honor among the Bears at the Missouri Valley Conference postseason softball awards banquet in Carbondale, Ill., on Wednesday night. Roark was named to the All-MVC first team, her first career league award. Senior Erin Duewel also took home an accolade as she was named to the MVC All-Defensive Team.
Roark made a successful transition from second base to the outfield this season. She led the Bears in hitting this season with a .373 batting average. Roark hit .404 during conference play, the fourth highest average in the league. The Ottumwa, Iowa native had 10 multi-hit games this season, seven of which were in MVC games. Roark led the team with 10 sacrifice bunts and is always a dangerous threat with her speed and the ability to slap hit or bunt at any time.
Duewel was recognized for her stellar defensive skills in earning the MVC All-Defensive Team nod for the first time. An All-MVC first teamer in 2015, Duewel put up some impressive offensive numbers in her senior season. The Lee's Summit, Mo. native led MSU with 35 RBI, tied for the sixth highest-single season total in program history. She is also tied for the team lead with eight home runs this season. She has hit 21 in her career, the second-most in school history.
Missouri State (21-29) will face Bradley (18-29) to open the MVC Softball Championship on Thursday at 11:04 a.m. The winner will play host Southern Illinois (32-18) at 4:04 p.m. also on Thursday. The Bears have won the most games in the history of the tournament with 70 all-time victories. MSU head coach Holly Hesse in tied for the most wins as a coach with 48.
