Indiana State is enjoying a pretty special spring sports season this strengthened by a baseball program that has reached No. 26 in the nation and a pair of track and field teams that are prepared to host its first Missouri Valley Conference meet.

The Sycamore baseball team wrapped up its home season with a narrow defeat to Xavier, 9-8, but ISU is set to play its final series of the regular season on the road at Missouri State.

Indiana State opens the series tonight and is seeking its first regular season conference championship since 1985.

A large part of the Sycamores success is due to a former Northview Knight, Brady Shoemaker.

The Sycamore senior received Player of the Week honors on April 27 in the MVC and, even more impressively, was named an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 5 First Team Selection by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America.

To be nominated for the program, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution.

Shoemaker, a physical education major with a 3.85 cumulative GPA at ISU. In addition, Shoemaker also ranks among the best players in the NCAA in several categories. As of the national ranking summary through May 3, Shoemaker ranks 26th nationally in on base percentage (.526), 46th in walks per game (0.8), 26th in walks (41) and 101st in runs scored per game (1.16).

After a sweep of Evansville over the weekend, Shoemaker is the MVC's leading hitter at .404, slugging percentage at .725, on-base percentage at .526 and runs scored with 61. He's third with 46 RBI and is second with 13 homeruns and leads the conference in total bases at 129 and in walks with 41.

Indiana State is 33-15 this season and wrapped up a 17-3 home mark and brings a 15-4 mark into the Missouri State series.