May 17, 2010
BIG TEN BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kyle Knudson, Minnesota
Sr., C, Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove
Knudson earns Big Ten Player of the Week honors after leading Minnesota to a series sweep over Penn State, propelling the Golden Gophers into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten standings. The catcher batted .615, reached base at a .643 clip and slugged at a 1.308 average, combining for an OPS of 1.951. Knudson’s best game came on Sunday as he went 5-for-5 on his Senior Day, driving in three runs and scoring two with a home run and a triple. The Maple Grove, Minn., native totaled five runs scored and six RBI for the weekend, also knocking four extra-base hits, including a pair of long balls. The weekly accolade is the first of Knudson’s career and the second for a Minnesota hitter this season.
Last MINN Player of the Week: Michael Kvasnicka (April 5, 2010)
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
TJ Oakes, Minnesota
Fr., RHP, Jordan, Minn./Jordan
Oakes picks up Pitcher of the Week laurels after leading Minnesota to a 5-1 victory over Penn State on Saturday, helping the Gophers into sole possession of first place in the conference standings. The freshman tossed a career-high eight innings and allowed just one earned run and five base runners. Oakes was perfect through the first 5.1 frames, retiring the first 16 batters he faced. The right-hander held Penn State, who entered the series with a .333 average during conference play, to just .148 hitting in the outing. Oakes grabs the first weekly honor of his career and the fourth for the Minnesota pitching staff this season.
Last MINN Pitcher of the Week: Scott Matyas (May 11, 2010)
