March 1, 2005

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois redshirt junior Brian Blomquist was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week the conference office announced Monday.

Blomquist threw six shutout innings to pick up a win against Wagner in his first start since 2003. He missed the entire 2004 season after undergoing "Tommy John" reconstructive surgery.

The Carol Stream, Ill., native allowed only three hits while striking out a career-high six and walking only one in the Illini's 14-1 win Sunday. His performance helped Illinois earn a share of the NIA Shootout title as the Illini finished 2-1 on opening weekend in Rock Hill, S.C.

Blomquist allowed Wagner hitters a scant .136 batting average, and now leads Illinois pitchers in ERA, wins, innings pitched, runs and strikeouts.

He is the first Illinois pitcher to be named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week since Tim Gorski won the award on April 12, 2004.