Valparaiso University baseball redshirt junior Patrick Ilitch (Detroit, Mich. / University Liggett) was named to the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Second Team on Wednesday based upon his academic and athletic credentials.
 
Ilitch graduated this spring with a 3.83 cumulative grade point average in finance. On the field, he appeared in 35 games and made 32 starts this season, racking up 10 doubles and six home runs while scoring 19 runs and driving in 19. He had two long balls on April 13 at Missouri State, Valpo's first multi-homer game of the season, part of a 12-game hitting streak. He finished the season on a high note with five hits including three doubles over his final two games, May 15 and 16 vs. Southern Illinois.
 
2025 MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE FIRST TEAM
Bobby Atkinson, Bradley – Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Carter Beck, Indiana State
Tyrelle Chadwick, Illinois State
Sam Frizzi, Southern Illinois
Carson Garner, Murray State
Jonathan Hogart, Murray State
Jaxon Holder, Southern Illinois
Zac Laird, Indiana State
Judah Morris, Illinois State
Timmy O'Brien, Bradley
Daniel Pacella, Illinois State
Joe Ruzicka, Belmont
Carson Seeman, Indiana State
 
2025 MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE SECOND TEAM
Blake Barton, Belmont
Jackson Bessette, UIC
Tommy Egan, UIC
Kane Elmy, Murray State
Landon Godsey, Belmont
Taeg Gollert, Missouri State
Patrick Ilitch, Valparaiso
Dustin Mercer, Murray State
Luke Nowak, UIC
Dylan Petrey, Southern Illinois
Cole Smith, Bradley
Zack Stewart, Missouri State
Jackson Taylor, Indiana State