FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
CO-PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Aaron Johnson, Illinois
Jr., C, Sussex Corner, New Brunswick/Sussex Regional
Johnson led the Illini to a series victory over No. 1 LSU over the weekend, batting .500 with a .750 slugging percentage over the three-game set. In Game 1 on Friday, the catcher hit the game-winning two-run home run in the top of the ninth to give Illinois the 3-1 victory. On Saturday, the junior went 2-for-4 with three RBI in a losing effort. Johnson closed out the series with a three-hit performance on Sunday, scoring one run in a 6-2 Illini win. On defense, the backstop threw out four of six would-be base-stealers against a speedy LSU team that entered the game having executed on 30 of 35 stolen-base attempts. Behind Johnson’s outstanding offensive performance, Illinois moved to 7-2 on the season.
Last Illinois Player of the Week: Josh Parr (March 2, 2009)
Ryan LaMarre, Michigan
So., CF, Jackson, Mich./Lumen Christi
LaMarre fronted the Wolverines in a series sweep over Siena, batting .500 with a 1.250 slugging percentage. The sophomore also tallied eight RBI in the three-game set and knocked in three homers while scoring four total runs and stealing a base, combining for an OPS of 1.821. On the series-opener on Friday, the center fielder went 2-for-5 in an 11-3 Michigan win. The sophomore recorded a three-hit performance on Saturday, tallying four RBI while scoring three runs on two homers as the Wolverines went on to win, 12-3. In the finale on Sunday, he went 1-for-3 with four RBI, connecting on a three-run homer in the third, which gave Michigan an early 4-0 advantage. U-M went on to win the game, 19-6, improving the team’s record to 10-2.
Last Michigan Player of the Week: Nick Urban (Feb. 23, 2009)
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Ben Reeser, Illinois
Sr., RHP, Bloomington, Ill./Normal University
Reeser was nearly untouchable in Illinois’ 6-2 win over No. 1 LSU on Sunday, throwing 8.2 innings of shutout ball before giving up two doubles and a homer in the bottom of the ninth. In the start, the senior scattered six hits and four walks while striking out a career-high nine batters, setting down the Tigers in order in the first two innings. The Bloomington, Ill., native was especially dominant in his first eight frames, allowing just three hits, three walks and no runs before entering the ninth. Tigers hit just .194 off Reeser, whose season record improves to 2-0.
Last Illinois Pitcher of the Week: Phil Haig (May 19, 2008)
