May 11, 2010
IOWA CITY, IA – – University of Iowa junior center fielder Kurtis Muller today was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week by the conference office. Muller shares the honor with Indiana’s Alex Dickerson. The weekly accolade is the first of Muller’s career and first for the Hawkeyes this season.
Muller helped propel Iowa to three wins last week, including capturing its second consecutive Big Ten road series at Penn State. The Penn State wins put the Hawkeyes back in the conference tournament race. Muller batted .563 and slugged 1.063, combining for an OPS of 1.626, while driving in eight RBI and scoring four runs in the three-game set at State College.
Muller put on an offensive clinic in the final two games against the Nittany Lions. In the series finale, Muller collected a game and career-high five RBI, recording hits in his first five at-bats to tie the school single-game record. With the game tied, he blasted a three-run homer, his first of the season, to put the Hawkeyes in front to stay. The next half inning, he made a sliding catch into the wall to help preserve the lead. The native of Sun Prairie, WI, nearly hit for the cycle in Saturday’s 9-3 triumph. He went 3-for-6 (single, double, triple) while registering two RBI.
Muller ranks first in team batting average (.369), slugging percentage (.512), hits (62), stolen bases (21), walks (21), runs (43) and triples (5).
Muller and the Hawkeyes host Ohio State this weekend in a crucial three-game series. Games will be played Friday thru Sunday at Duane Banks Field. Friday’s opener begins at 6:05 p.m.