Feb. 25, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Senior catcher Ken Padgett (Littleton, Colo./Arapahoe) was named Big Ten Player of the Week by the conference office today.
Padgett batted .727 (8-for-11) at the South Alabama Coca-Cola Classic last weekend, as NU went 2-1 in the tournament and improved to 4-1 on the season. The senior catcher recorded six runs, five runs batted in, three doubles and a home run to post an imposing slugging percentage of 1.273. Padgett turned in his most impressive performance Sunday against St. John's, going 3-for-4 with a double, a two-run homer and four RBI to spark NU to the 18-12 victory. The Colorado native leads the team with a .500 batting average this season. He is the second straight Wildcat to earn Big Ten Player of the Week accolades, as teammate Eric Roeder was honored last week.
Michigan State's Bryan Gale was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for giving up one unearned run in seven innings of a 7-3 win over Centenary. The junior walked none, facing 26 hitters.
NU is next in action when they travel to Dothan, Ala., this weekend for three games. The 'Cats are scheduled to take on Troy State, Temple and Kansas State. Game 1 at Troy State is set for 6 p.m. Friday.