Illinois State’s Miller, Rave earn MVC honors

Posted on May 23, 2017

By ISU Sports Information

ST. LOUIS – Illinois State’s Owen Miller and John Rave were among the players recognized as the Missouri Valley Conference announced its postseason honors Tuesday.

Miller was an All-MVC Second-Team selection, while Rave earned All-MVC Honorable Mention status in addition to being named to the league’s All-Defensive Team.

Miller, a sophomore shortstop from Fredonia, Wisconsin, ranked among the conference’s leaders in several key offensive categories. He tallied the second-most hits (75) and fourth-most doubles (19), with the league’s sixth-best batting average (.332), during the 2017 season. Miller led Illinois State in all three categories, as well as: games played and started (51), at-bats (226), runs (32), home runs (6), RBIs (47), total bases (18), slugging percentage (.522) and OPS (.879).

Miller tallied 25 multi-hit games during the 2017 season and 12 games with multiple RBIs. He posted a personal- and team-best hitting streak of 13 games. As Illinois State’s everyday shortstop, Miller registered a .973 fielding percentage, committing just six errors in 223 defensive chances.

Rave, a freshman outfielder from Bloomington, Illinois, became Illinois State’s everyday starting center fielder early in the season. His four triples rank as the second most in the Valley, while his 12 stolen bases are good enough for sixth best; both totals lead Illinois State players. Rave also ranks second among Redbird players in hits (54), runs (30) and walks (27), and third in batting average (.276).

In addition to the all-conference honorable mention honor, Rave was also recognized among the league’s top defensive players, thanks to a .984 fielding percentage. Rave was responsible for 118 putouts and provided two outfield assists as the Redbirds’ center fielder, while committing just two errors.

Miller, Rave and the Illinois State baseball team will head to Springfield, Missouri, for the MVC Tournament, beginning Wednesday. The No. 8 seed Redbirds will open up against top seed and host Missouri State, at 7:30 p.m., at Hammons Field.

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