ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Indiana State right-handed pitcher Luke Hayden was named the Missouri Valley Baseball Pitcher of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.
 
Hayden becomes the fourth Indiana State pitcher to claim the conference's weekly honor joining Jacob Pruitt (Feb. 19), Brennyn Cutts (Mar. 11 & Apr. 15), and Cam Edmonson (Mar. 25) to receive the award presented by the conference office.
 
The Bloomington, Ind. native delivered his best performance of the season when it mattered most on Sunday afternoon with a complete-game effort in ISU's 11-1 over Illinois State. The win secured Indiana State's 15th consecutive MVC series win dating back to the end of the 2022 season.
 
Hayden scattered six hits and allowed just an unearned run on a dropped fly ball in left field in his first complete game in the Sycamore Blue & White. He posted a season-high 11 strikeouts while walking one batter and allowed just one runner in scoring position after the third inning in the win.
 
Hayden pitched to contact when needed forcing the Redbirds to hit into a pair of double plays and needed just 97 pitches to secure the Sunday win.
 
He currently ranks fourth in the Valley in ERA (2.84), seventh in opponent batting average (.238), second in strikeouts (59), second in strikeouts looking (19), and tied for second in wins (5) overall this season.
 
Indiana State continues the seven-game road trip next weekend as the Sycamores travel to Carbondale, Ill. to take on Southern Illinois over April 26-28. First pitch in Friday's contest at Itchy Jones Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET. All three games will be broadcast on 105.5 The Legend, with Friday and Saturday also being streamed on ESPN+. Sunday's contest will be carried on ESPNU with a 7 p.m. ET first pitch.
 
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