March 30, 2009

URBANA, Ill. - Illinois sophomore leftfielder Hollie Pinchback was named the Big Ten Player of the Week after slugging 1.222 while batting .556 during Illinois' three-game stretch last week. It marks the first career honor for Pinchback and the fourth weekly award this season for the Illini.

Pinchback was a model of consistency last week, smashing two home runs with six RBIs and four runs to lead Illinois to a pair of wins. Against Loyola Chicago, the Katy, Texas, native went 2-for-4 with an RBI then followed that performance with her second home run of the season against No. 23 DePaul. Pinchback's marquee performance came against Michigan State, as she belted her first career grand slam and crossed the plate three times en route to the Illini's 13-3 win. The win made the Orange and Blue 3-0 in Big Ten action, their best conference start in program history.

It marks the second week in a row an Illini earned conference weekly honors, as second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz took home the award last week. Zymkowitz, along with catcher Lana Armstrong, also earned the honor earlier in the season.

Pinchback and the Illini return to the field on Wednesday, April 1 at Iowa. The doubleheader will begin at 5 p.m. and air live on the Big Ten Network.