McQuillan, Kuebel Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors

May 21, 2012

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa baseball players Mike McQuillan and Sasha Kuebel earned Big Ten weekly recognition today after helping lead the Hawkeyes to a 3-1 record last week, including taking 2-of-3 from No. 13 Purdue last weekend. McQuillan was named the conference’s Player of the Week, while Kuebel was named Pitcher and co-Freshman of the Week alongside Indiana catcher Kyle Schwarber.

McQuillan, who earns his first weekly league honor, hit .750 (9-of-12) and had an on-base percentage of .833 (15-of-18) in the four games last week. The native of Evergreen Park, Ill., was on base at least three times and scored at least one run in all four contests. The senior hit for the weekend cycle recording a single (all three games), double (Thursday), triple (Friday) and home run (Saturday) throughout the three-game set. Defensively, the first baseman had 31 putouts and four assists with no errors.

Kuebel pitched his second complete game of the season Friday in a 6-1 triumph over the Boilermakers. The St. Louis, Mo., native allowed one run while scattering eight singles and striking out four against the fifth-best hitting team in the country. Friday marked only the fourth time this season Purdue was held to one or fewer runs in a game. Kuebel, who earns his first conference Pitcher of the Week and second Freshman of the Week accolades, finished his rookie campaign with an unblemished 6-0 record in 13 appearances.

McQuillan and Kuebel helped the Hawkeyes post their first victory over a ranked opponent since 2009 (No. 25 Louisville).

Iowa finished its season 23-27 overall and 10-14 in Big Ten play.