ST. LOUIS – Missouri State softball’s McKenzie Vaughan was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for the first time in her career, the league announced today.
Vaughan paced the Bears offensively during the first week of Missouri Valley Conference action, helping lead the Bears to a 3-2 record. The sophomore led the team with a .600 (3-for-5) batting average, seven RBI, three home runs, a 2.400 slugging percentage and an .800 on-base percentage. She also drew four walks, was hit by a pitch, did not strike out and committed no errors in the field.
In MSU’s two run-rule victories over Drake on Friday, Vaughan went a combined 3-for-4 with three home runs (one solo and two three-run shots), seven RBI, three runs scored, two walks and a 3.000 slugging percentage. In the series finale against the Bulldogs, Vaughan went 0-for-1, but drew two walks. Earlier in the week in two games against SIU, Vaughan was hit by a pitch.
The dual-threat also went 1-1 in the circle on the week, while striking out 10 batters. Her best outing of the week in the circle came against Drake as she earned a complete-game victory, while allowing one earned run, scattering five hits and striking out six Bulldogs. Vaughan is tied for second in the MVC this season with five home runs.
This marks Vaughan’s first-career MVC Player of the Week award and her second Valley award this season as she was named the league’s Pitcher of the Week on March 7.
Missouri State is back in action tomorrow (March 22) as the Bears welcome Tulsa for a midweek matchup at Killian Stadium. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT in Springfield.
