April 17, 2007

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Redshirt-sophomore Mike Stankiewicz (Des Plaines, Ill.) was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Monday, the conference announced. The Illini right-hander shut down Northwestern's offense in the Illini's 1-0 win in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday, tossing a one-hit complete game. The sophomore struck out a career-high seven in the outing, striking out the side in the game's last inning.

Stankiewicz allowed just one runner past second all game and allowed two runners on base only once. He had three three-ball counts all game, none after the second frame. He became the first Illinois pitcher to toss a one-hitter since Brett Weber in 1998. The Des Plaines, Ill., native retired the final 15 hitters he faced after giving up a lead-off single in the third, the only hit he allowed.

After a rough start to the season, Stankiewicz has starred in Big Ten play, going 2-1 with a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings, holding the third-best ERA in the league in conference games. He's allowed just nine hits in his three conference appearances, which include two complete-game starts. Big Ten opponents are hitting a meager .164 off him, which is second-best in the league in conference games.

The Illini face Illinois State Tuesday night at Redbird Field at 6 p.m. Illinois returns home for the first of three straight Wednesday evening games, facing Robert Morris College at 6:05 p.m.