ST. LOUIS - Hayley Nybo (Minnetonka, Minn.) and Rebekah Schmidt (Cottage Grove, Minn.) were named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week and MVC Pitcher of the Week, respectively for the period of April 30-May 6, the league office announced this afternoon.

Nybo was 8-of-15 (.533) at the plate last week in five wins for the Bulldogs. The freshman blasted two home runs and had seven RBI with 15 total bases and a 1.000 slugging percentage. She currently has a seven-game hitting streak and on the season is hitting .333 with nine home runs, 42 RBI and a .580 slugging percentage.

This is the second MVC award for Nybo this season as she earned the player of the week award on Feb. 27. A freshman, Nybo leads Drake in average, hits (54), doubles (13), home runs, RBI, total bases (94) and slugging percentage.

Schmidt had a great week on the mound and at the plate. The right-hander went 2-0 with two saves and compiled a 0.75 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched. She struck out 19, walked three batters and allowed just two earned runs. At the plate, she was 4-of-6 (.667) with her first two career home runs, a double, five runs scored and four RBI.

Also a freshman, Schmidt is 9-8 with a 2.89 ERA with 149 strikeouts in 140.2 innings pitched this season. Her nine saves lead the MVC and going into the final weekend of the regular season she was tied for the third most in the country.

Rebekah is the second Bulldog pitcher to win the award this season. Jordan Gronewold (Carlisle, Iowa) won the honor on March 19.

Drake will open the MVC tournament Thursday night against the winner of Bradley and Missouri State. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. and can be seen online at Valley Live (http://www.valley-live.tv). Live stats will also be available at www.GoDrakebulldogs.com

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