Feb. 23, 2009

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Urban, Michigan
Jr., OF, Whitehall, Mich./Whitehall
Urban led Michigan to a 4-0 start on the season with a .474 batting average and a .737 slugging percentage as the Wolverines went 3-0 in the Big East-Big Ten Challenge and also won an intraconference game against Purdue. The junior opened the season with a 3-for-4 performance, including a run and two doubles, in the Wolverines’ 6-5 win over South Florida on Friday. On Saturday, the outfielder went 2-for-5 in an extra-innings victory against Purdue and 3-for-5 with two RBI, a double and a triple in a 6-1 triumph over Cincinnati. Wrapping up the weekend, Urban was 1-for-5 with a pair of RBI in Michigan’s 4-2 win against St. John’s. For the weekend, the Whitehall, Mich., native tallied nine hits, three doubles and 14 total bases while combining for an OPS of 1.211. He received honorable mention All-Tournament recognition for his efforts and earns his first career Big Ten Player of the Week honor.

Last Michigan Player of the Week: Zach Putnam (April 15, 2008)

CO-PITCHERS OF THE WEEK
Eric Jokisch, Northwestern
So., LHP, Virginia, Ill./Virginia
Last year’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Jokisch wasted no time following up his impressive 2008 campaign by tossing the fifth complete game of his career in Northwestern’s 5-3 season-opening win over Georgetown on Friday. The left-hander struck out a career-high nine batters and allowed just one earned run over nine innings. The sophomore was named honorable mention on the Big East-Big Ten Challenge All-Tournament team and takes home his second career Big Ten Pitcher of the Week accolade after earning the final award last season.

Last Nortwhestern Pitcher of the Week: Eric Jokisch (May 19, 2008)

Drew Rucinski, Ohio State
So., RHP, Broken Arrow, Okla./Tulsa Union
Rucinski takes home his first career conference honor after combining for 6.1 innings of scoreless relief in two Ohio State wins over the weekend. In the Buckeyes’ 2-0 victory over Notre Dame on Friday, the sophomore picked up the save, allowing just two hits in three innings while striking out three batters and not allowing a walk. In a 6-5 triumph against Cincinnati on Sunday, the right-hander struck out three batters in 3.1 innings of work while allowing just one hit to pick up the win. The Broken Arrow, Okla., native earned a spot on the Big East-Big Ten Challenge All-Tournament team for his showing.