Six Salukis earn All-MVC recognition

NORMAL, ILL. - Six Salukis were honored at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships banquet this evening. Shaye Harre, Merri Anne Patterson, and Brianna Jones all earned First-Team All-Conference honors; and Sydney Jones, Katelyn Massa, and Maddy Vermejan were all named Second-Team All-Conference. Vermejan was also named to the valley's All-Defensive team.

Shaye Harre earned her second consecutive First-Team honors after a record breaking season. Harre broke SIU's all time RBI and doubles record this season, along with setting a new single season walks record and tying the doubles record. This season Harre led the Salukis in batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, walks, putouts, and doubles. The Saluki senior also ranked fourth in the country in walks, 13th in doubles, 25th in on base percentage, and 26th in doubles per game.

Merri Anne Patterson joined Harre on the MVC's First-Team. It was Patterson's second consecutive year being selected to an All-Conference team. This season Patterson led the Salukis at the plate, batting in 39 Dawgs to lead the team. The Lynnville native also cracked the top ten in Saluki history in home runs, as she's added seven to her total this season (22). Patterson was second in hits with 46, runs scored with 30, and slugging percentage (.497). In the Missouri Valley Conference, Patterson ranks fourth in RBIs.

Brianna Jones was also named to her second First-Team this evening, now earning the honor in both of her two years at SIU. Jones led the Salukis this season in the circle with 15 wins, pitching 195.1 innings over the course of the season. The Manchester native also led the pitching staff in strikeouts with 122 and saves with four.

Sydney Jones was named to her second All-Conference Second-Team, earning the honor last season as well. This season Jones started every game for the Salukis and led the squad in home runs, blasting nine during the regular season, which was tied for the third most in the MVC. Jones scored 26 runs for the maroon and white, had 37 hits, and drove in 26 runs.

Katelyn Massa earned her first All-MVC honor this evening, being named to the Second-Team. In valley play Massa batted primarily in the heart of the lineup and did some damage. Massa started all 25 MVC games and sported a .310 batting average, while driving in 14 RBI. The Grover native was one of five Salukis to have 20 hits in conference play. Massa also had two walk off winners this season, one against Bradley and the other against Evansville.

Maddy Vermejan earned her first and second All-MVC honor tonight, being named to the All-Conference Second-Team and to the MVC's All-Defensive team. This season Vermejan led the Salukis in batting average in conference play, swinging to a .344 average in 25 games. The Saluki freshman finished the regular season with 37 hits, scored 18 runs, and drove in 19 Salukis. In the field Vermejan had a perfect fieliding percentage in MVC play, while recording 22 assists and 63 putouts.

For a complete look at the All-Conference teams click here.

SIU finished the regular season with a 30-22 record and a 17-8 mark in valley play. The Salukis earned the No. 3 three seed at the MVC Championships and will play at 1:30 p.m. in Normal, Illinois on Friday against the winner of Drake University and Missouri State.

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Players Mentioned

Shaye Harre

Brianna Jones

Sydney Jones

Katelyn Massa

Merri Anne Patterson

Maddy Vermejan

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Southern Illinoise University Athletics