March 28, 2011
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior Liz Watkins was selected as the Co-Big Ten Player of the Week Monday. Watkins earned her second career honor after posting a .714 batting average with six RBI and three runs scored in leading the Hawkeyes to a series sweep on the road at Ohio State.
The Taylor Ridge, Ill., native opened the series by going a perfect 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI in the 5-3 victory. All three RBI came with two outs. The four hits tied a career-high, and are tied for the most in a single game by a Hawkeye player this season (Chelsey Carmody, Stephanie Ochoa).
In the finale on Sunday, Watkins collected her fifth straight hit in her opening at-bat when she belted a line drive three-run long ball over the right centerfield fence to give Iowa the early 3-0 lead. It was her team-leading sixth home run of the season. The Hawkeyes went on to claim the victory by the count of 7-2.
Watkins shared the honor with Penn State sophomore Cassidy Bell, who hit .667 with four doubles in leading the Nittany Lions to a series sweep over Wisconsin.
The honor is the second of Watkins’ career, as she earned her first accolade on March 29, 2010.
Watkins is the second straight Hawkeye to earn the accolade, joining Ochoa, who received the honor March 21.
Iowa (18-12, 2-0) heads to Macomb, Ill., Wednesday for a midweek game at Western Illinois beginning at 4 p.m.