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April 5, 2005

BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Drew Davidson, Illinois
SR, CF, West Des Moines, Iowa/Dowling
Davidson led Illinois to the first four-game sweep over Ohio State in school history and the program's first 4-0 League start since 1999 by batting a sizzling .667 (6-for-9) while driving in six runs and scoring five times. The senior outfielder boasted a slugging percentage of 1.111 and an on-base percentage of .769 in the four games with a double, home run and stolen base. The Iowa native capped his weekend with a two-run walkoff home run to vault the hosts to a 6-4 victory in the series finale. Davidson batted .538 (7-for-13) in five total games last week with eight RBI and six runs. He leads the team in runs (20), RBI (19), doubles (6), slugging percentage (.657) and fielding % (1.000 on 37 chances) and is the first Illini to collect Big Ten Player of the Week laurels this season.
 
BIG TEN PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Matt Loberg, Minnesota
SR, RHP, Anoka, Minn./Anoka
Loberg pitched eight shutout innings in the Big Ten opener against nationally-ranked Michigan and outdueled Wolverines ace Jim Brauer to lead the Gophers to a 1-0 victory and spark the team to a four-game sweep. The senior righthander picks up his second straight Big Ten Pitcher of the Week accolade after allowing only four hits and striking out six batters against a Michigan team that entered the game with a combined .327 batting average. Loberg has not allowed a run in his last 16 innings (eight shutout innings against Butler) and has been a part of three of Minnesota's four shutouts this season. He becomes the first Big Ten pitcher to earn the Conference weekly award on two occasions this season