Keppler Named Big Ten Player of the Week

April 9, 2012

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Phil Keppler has been named Big Ten Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday. Keppler garners his first career weekly honor.

Keppler (6-foot-4, 190), who primarily sees action in the outfield and at first base, led Iowa to a 3-2 record last week. The Hawkeyes swept South Dakota State at home before dropping 2-of-3 at Nebraska in the first ever Big Ten series between the two programs. Iowa downed the Huskers in the series opener, marking the program’s first ever win in Lincoln.

The Manchester, Iowa, native collected 11 hits in 15 at-bats (.733) over the five games, while driving in seven runs and scoring five. He notched his first triple and home run of the season. In addition, Keppler registered three walks and a sacrifice fly while posting an on-base percentage of .778 and a slugging percentage of 1.067.

Keppler is batting .400 this season. The former West Delaware High School standout is hitting .458 in conference play and .500 over the last 10 games (17-of-34).

Iowa hosts Western Illinois in a mid-week contest Tuesday. The Hawkeyes face the Leathernecks at 6:35 p.m. at Duane Banks Field. Iowa continues action Saturday at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. The Hawkeyes will play South Dakota State at 10:05 a.m. and host Creighton at 2:05 p.m.