Bradley University Athletics

Apke & French Earn MVC Scholar-Athlete Honors

Softball 4/30/2020 9:30:00 AM

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Senior Allison Apke earned First-Team Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete honors for the third consecutive year and sophomore Grace French was an honorable mention MVC Scholar-Athlete performer according to an announcement by the league office Thursday.

Apke joined former teammate Maria Schroeder (2015-18) and Julie Jehle (1993-96) as the only three-time First-Team Valley Scholar-Athletes in Bradley Softball history and was the lone first-team selection for the Braves. French was an honorable mention pick in her first year of eligibility.

A mechanical engineering major with a biomedical concentration, Apke owns a 3.33 cumulative grade point average. This spring she was hitting .317 with a team-best five homers, which was tied for fifth in the MVC, and was third on the squad in both runs (13) and RBI (16). Over the final seven games of the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Apke was 11-for-22 with two doubles, a triple, four homers, 10 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Apke's school career record 32 homers are tied for the 17th-best career total in MVC history. The only player in program history with 10 or more homers in two different seasons, Apke was a Third-Team NFCA All-Mideast Region pick in 2019 and a two-time All-MVC performer. She holds Bradley's career slugging percentage record (.631) and ranks among the top in school history in career RBI (6th - 109), walks (T5th - 63) and on base percentage (4th - .435).

French boasts a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average and is enrolled in Bradley's award-winning Academic Exploration Program. She posted an unblemished 5-0 record this season with a team-best 2.75 ERA in the circle, in addition to owning a .269 batting average. Her ERA was ninth in the MVC and was the lowest ERA at Bradley since 2012.

Tossing a team-high two complete game shutouts in her seven starts, she was second on the team in innings (43.1) and strikeouts (32). At the plate, French closed the season with a career-best six-game hit streak; going 7-for-16 with two runs, five RBI and two doubles over that stretch. In her 26 career pitching appearances, which includes 13 starts, she is 11-4 with a 2.25 ERA.

In order to be eligible for MVC Scholar-Athlete consideration, student-athletes must have at 3.3 grade point average or higher, be at least a sophomore in athletic and academic standing and be a starter or important reserve.

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Players Mentioned

#17 Maria Schroeder: UTL/C; 5' 6"; Senior; R/R

#16 Allison Apke: IF; 5' 6"; Senior; R/R

#32 Grace French: P/UT; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

Players Mentioned

#17 Maria Schroeder
: 5' 6"; Senior; R/R
: UTL/C

#16 Allison Apke
: 5' 6"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#32 Grace French
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: P/UT

Apke & French Earn MVC Scholar-Athlete Honors

Players Mentioned

#17 Maria Schroeder

#16 Allison Apke

#32 Grace French

Players Mentioned

#17 Maria Schroeder

#16 Allison Apke

#32 Grace French