May 19, 2008
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Andrew Means, Indiana
Jr., OF, Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake
Means picks up his second weekly honor of the season after propelling Indiana into the 2008 Big Ten Baseball Tournament with a four-game sweep at Michigan State. The junior led his squad with a .938 slugging percentage and tied for the team lead with a .563 average and a .632 on-base percentage as the Hoosiers earned their first Big Ten series sweep since 1999. The outfielder recorded multiple hits in each game of the series, including a three-hit performance in the finale in which he scored three runs and drove in one to push IU into its first conference tournament since 2003. Means recorded three triples in the four-game set to push his conference-leading total to eight. He also went 2-for-2 on the base paths, made nine errorless putouts and took part in two double plays. On the weekend, the leadoff hitter scored nine runs on nine hits with two talks and a hit-by-pitch. Means is the only Big Ten player to be named Player of the Week twice this season.
Last Indiana Player OTW: Andrew Means (5/6/08)
CO-PITCHERS OF THE WEEK
Phil Haig, Illinois
Fr., LHP, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Henry Sibley
Haig earns his first career weekly accolade after tossing a two-hit, complete-game shutout against Purdue, the No. 2 team in the Big Ten rankings, in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday. The left-hander allowed just two hits and two walks and struck out three in seven innings of work, holding opponents to a .100 batting average. He allowed just three runners to advance into scoring position in Illinois' first two-hitter since March 5, 2005. The freshman averaged just 10.9 pitches per inning and threw 61.8 percent of his pitches for strikes as he posted a WHIP of 0.57 for the game. The award is the first for an Illinois hurler this season.
Last Illinois Pitcher OTW: Jake Toohey (5/21/07)
Eric Jokisch, Northwestern
Fr., LHP, Virginia, Ill./Virginia
Jokisch takes home his first career Big Ten Pitcher of the Week award after throwing a complete-game shutout against conference champion Michigan in Game 2 of a Friday doubleheader. The freshman struck out four and allowed just four hits and four walks en route to his first career shutout. The win improved his overall record to 8-2, extending his school freshman wins record. The victory was his seventh in conference play, marking a Big Ten best this season. The shutout was the first time the Wolverines had been blanked all season and the first time they had not scored a run at home in 64 games. The pitching accolade is the second for the Wildcats this season.
Last Northwestern POW: Joe Muraski (4/15/08)
