ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Jackie Lis and Emily Williams of the Southern Illinois University softball team have received weekly honors by the Missouri Valley Conference, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
Lis was named the MVC Player of the Week, while Williams was named the Newcomer of the Week for the conference. These are the first weekly awards of the season for the Salukis.
In four games down in Starkville, Miss., Lis posted a batting average of .462 with an on-base percentage of .563 and a slugging percentage of 1.000. The shortstop hit two home runs with four RBI, four runs scored, and six hits with three walks. Against No. 19 Mississippi State on Feb. 13, Lis went 2-for-3 with one run scored and one walk.
Both of Lis’ home runs came against Georgia Tech on Feb. 14. This is the junior’s second two-home run game of the season, as she also went deep twice against Appalachian State on Feb. 9.
Williams earned Newcomer of the Week honors after posting a batting average of .286 with a .375 on-base percentage and a .714 slugging percentage. The transfer from Morehead State hit one home run with two RBI, two hits, and one walk in Mississippi.
The sophomore’s first home run as a Saluki came on Feb. 14 against Georgia Tech. As a freshman at Morehead State in 2023, Williams led the Eagles in home runs with 11 on the season.
Next up for Lis, Williams, and the Salukis will be a trip to San Marcos, Texas, this weekend for the San Marcos Classic. Southern will compete against Kansas, Texas State, and Creighton in the tournament, with its first game scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21, at 1:15 p.m. vs. Kansas.
Missouri Valley Conference Weekly Award Winners
Player of the Week – Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois
Pitcher of the Week – Hannah Meshnick, Illinois State
Freshman of the Week – Rylee Spindler, Belmont
Newcomer of the Week – Emily Williams, Southern Illinois
