University of Evansville senior pitcher John Foley (Mt. Pulaski, Ill./Mt. Pulaski H.S./Springfield College) has been named this week’s Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week, after helping the Purple Aces’ baseball team knock off league-leading Missouri State on Friday night.

Foley was able to hold the Bears to three runs over six innings of work to pick up his team-leading fifth victory on the mound in UE’s 9-8 victory over Missouri State.  Foley scattered nine base hits in the outing, while striking out seven men, including striking out at least one batter in five of the six innings in which he worked.  Foley not only leads the Purple Aces’ pitching staff with a 5-2 record this year, but he also maintains a 3.71 cumulative grade point average in management at UE.

Now in its tenth year of existence, the MVC’s Scholar-Athlete program is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies.  On a weekly basis, the league honors its student-athletes, both male and female, for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.  Wichita State tennis player Stephanie Dalmacio earned the female Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week honor this week.

To qualify for Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 as a sophomore or above.

The Purple Aces (21-22 overall) will return to the diamond next on Friday night at 6:00 p.m., as UE will begin a four-game weekend series against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.  Foley is expected to get the start in Friday night’s series opener.