May 7, 2014
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa softball shortstop Megan Blank earned her third-straight First Team All-Big Ten accolade of her career and was also named to the conference’s All-Defensive team. She becomes the eighth Iowa player all-time to receive first team recognition three times.
“Megan has done a good job and I think she’s elevated her game again this year,” head coach Marla Looper said. “Part way through the season, there was a switch that was flipped. She got more fire in her eyes and it’s nice to see that. We’ve always known she’s a quality ball player and that’s why she’s been recognized three years in a row.”
The Culver City, California native leads the Hawkeyes in batting average (.366), slugging percentage (.611), on-base percentage (.455), hits (48), doubles (11), triples (3) and RBIs (25) this season. In Big Ten action, Blank is hitting at a .415 clip, is slugging .677 and has an on-base percentage of .506. Seven of her 11 doubles, two of her three triples, two of her five home runs and 15 of her 25 RBIs have come against conference foes.
The junior continues to climb the career charts at Iowa; she is currently third with a .400 batting average, sixth with 43 doubles, eighth with 18 home runs, ninth with 113 RBIs and 10th with 10 triples with one season remaining with the Hawkeyes.
Blank leads the team with 13 multiple-hit games and six multiple-RBI games, has the longest reached base streak (14) and owns the longest hitting streak (9). She takes a six-game reached base streak into the 2014 Big Ten Tournament.
Senior outfielder and leadoff hitter Brianna Luna was also recognized by the Big Ten, receiving the team’s Sportsmanship Award. The student-athletes chosen to receive the honor are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
The No. 8 seed Hawkeyes open postseason play against No. 9 seed Illinois at the 2014 Big Ten Softball Tournament in Evanston, Illinois. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. (CT) on Thursday and can be watched live online on the Big Ten Digital Network.
To view the full list of Big Ten award winners, visit bigten.org.