ST. LOUIS – Following a 3-1 week and a third consecutive MVC series win, Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs, Mo.) and Tanner Graham (Rocheport, Mo./Hickman) earned Missouri Valley Conference honors, the league office announced on Monday afternoon. McConnell was named Player of the Week for the first time in his career, while Graham took home his fourth Freshman of the Week award.

McConnell was on fire at the plate this week, hitting .687 (11-for-16) in four games. The sophomore turned in three 3-hit performances and one 2-hit game, scoring six runs while driving in three.
 
McConnell has been red-hot as of late, riding an 11-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to a team-leading .302. McConnell leads the team with 21 RBI and is second on the team with nine multi-hit games, including the first 4-hit game by an Ace since 2024. In nine MVC games, McConnell leads the Aces with a.432 batting average, collecting 16 hits.
 
Graham continues to emerge as not only one of the best freshmen in the MVC, but one of the pitchers in the conference. The right-hander turned in another quality start on Saturday, allowing just one earned run while sticking out seven, picking up the win to help the Aces take the series over SIU.
 
On the season, Graham ranks third in the Valley and seventh nationally among freshmen in ERA at 2.41. In Valley play, Graham leads the conference in ERA with a sparkling 0.53 mark, picking up two wins over the Aces' first three conference weekends.

The Aces are back in action on Wednesday, looking to complete the season sweep of the Indiana Hoosiers with a midweek contest in Bloomington. First pitch is set for 5 PM CT.