CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois’ Troy Shepard was named the Missouri Valley Conference’s Newcomer of the Week, the league announced Monday. He is the first Saluki to win the award this season.

Shepard delivered his best performance of the 2026 season in Saturday’s 6-2 victory over Bradley. The Washington State transfer tallied a Division I career-high 12 strikeouts and carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning, officially ending with just one hit allowed through eight full innings pitched. The southpaw is tied for third in the Missouri Valley Conference with 56 strikeouts, second in opponent batting average (.198) and ranks fourth in strikeouts per nine (9.45) and WHIP (1.18).