Feb. 18, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Senior second-baseman Eric Roeder (Onsted, Mich./Onsted) and junior right-handed pitcher Dan Konecny (Ripon, Wis./Ripon) were named Big Ten Player and Pitcher of the Week by the conference office today.
Roeder recorded a batting average of .600 to lead the Wildcats to their first 2-0 start since 1986, when the team produced a 39-14 record. The senior second-baseman was 3-for-5 on the weekend with a walk and was also hit by a pitch for an on-base percentage of .714. He produced two RBI, including the game-winner in Northwestern's 1-0 shutout of Brigham Young. Roeder becomes the first Wildcats player in the last two years to earn Big Ten Player of the Week honors, as no NU players were selected in 2001 or 2002. As a junior last season, Roeder batted .264 and led the team with 10 stolen bases while starting 50 games.
Konecny went seven strong innings in his first start of 2003, shutting out BYU on the way to a 1-0 victory. The junior righthander scattered four hits and notched three strikeouts while facing only 27 batters. Konecny was making his first start since April 20, 2002, as he missed the second half of the last season with mononucleosis. He started six games in 2002, pitching one complete game and striking out 26 batters on his way to a 1-4 record.
NU is next in action when they travel to Mobile, Ala., this weekend for the Coca-Cola Classic hosted by Southern Mississippi. The 'Cats have three games scheduled against Southern Mississippi, South Alabama and St. John's. Game 1 vs. Southern Mississippi is set for 2:30 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 21.
Already the winningest coach in Northwestern history, head coach Paul Stevens is going for the 400th win of his career this weekend. His record currently stands at 399-431-4.