FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Derek McCallum, Minnesota
Jr., 2B, Shoreview, Minn./Hill-Murray
McCallum was nearly unstoppable at the plate last week, combining to post a .636 average with a .680 on-base percentage and a 1.636 slugging mark over five games. In a pair of mid-week matchups against UW-Milwaukee and South Dakota State, the junior went 3-for-4 in each contest with a combined five runs, 12 RBI and three home runs. His 12-RBI total marks the highest for a Golden Gopher in a two-game stretch since at least 1997, and his three homers over two games is a program best since 2004. Tacking on a home run in Game 1 of Minnesota’s series with Illinois, he became the first Minnesota player to go deep in three straight games since 2004. In the series finale with Illinois, McCallum had his second two-homer game of the week, going long twice in a 2-for-5 performance with two runs scored and four RBI. For the week, he totaled nine extra-base hits with six homers, two doubles and a triple, and 20 RBI for an OPS of 2.316. His efforts increased his season batting average by 43 points, giving him a conference-leading mark of .404, his slugging percentage by 171 points, placing him second in the conference at .709, and his RBI total to a Big Ten-leading 52. The weekly honor is the first of McCallum’s career and the second for a Minnesota hitter this season.
Last Minnesota Player of the Week: AJ Pettersen (April 6, 2009)
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Jake Hale, Ohio State
Sr., RHP, Albany, Ohio/Alexander
Hale saved each of Ohio State’s three wins over a 25-hour period as the Buckeyes swept Purdue on the road to claim sole possession of first place in the Big Ten standings. The senior tossed 5.1 innings in the series, not allowing a run on just four hits and two walks while striking out seven. The Stopper of the Year Award candidate leads the Big Ten with 10 saves and has an ERA of just 1.12 in 32 innings of work. The right-hander has finished 23 straight games and has not given up an earned run in the month of April. Hale began the week throwing 2.1 innings of scoreless, one-hit ball against nationally ranked Kent State on Wednesday before preserving a 1-0 win over Purdue on Friday with two scoreless frames. In Game 1 of a doubleheader Saturday, Hale struck out three of the five batters he faced without allowing a runner to reach base. In the series finale, he entered the game with one out in the eighth and the bases loaded and held the one-run lead. For the week, Hale struck out 10 in 7.2 innings, allowing just five hits and three walks with zero earned runs. The weekly award is the first of Hale’s career and the fifth for the Ohio State pitching staff this season.
Last Ohio State Pitcher of the Week: Alex Wimmers (April 13, 2009)
