CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Fighting Illini baseball LHP Cole Kirschsieper was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday morning. Kirschsieper pitched seven scoreless innings on Friday night to lead Illinois to a series-opening win over Purdue. The sophomore lefty tallied nine strikeouts while allowing just three hits and two walks. This marks Kirschsieper's first Big Ten Pitcher of the Week award of his career.

On the season, Kirschsieper ranks eighth in the Big Ten conference with a 2.49 ERA in 43.1 innings pitched. He also ranks seventh in the conference in strikeouts with 45. Kirschsieper is currently 4-1 in his first seven starts with a 45-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .200 batting average against.

The Illini are back in action on Tuesday night taking on the Illinois State Redbirds before traveling to Iowa this weekend.