ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Redshirt sophomore infielder Drake Westcott has been named Big Ten Player of the Week, the conference announced today.
Westcott put on an incredible power display at the plate during the Illini's sweep of Michigan State, going 8-for-15 (.533) with eight runs, five home runs and 10 RBI. He reached base at a .533 clip and slugged 1.533 for a series OPS of 2.066.
In Saturday's contest, Westcott homered three times, making him the first Illinois batter since Bren Spillane on March 17, 2018, to have a three-homer game. The Edwardsville, Ill., native followed up that performance with a two-home run day in Sunday's series finale for his third multi-home run game of the season.
Westcott's 17 home runs this season are the most by an Illinois batter in a single season since Spillane hit 23 in 2018 and his 10 home runs in Big Ten play are tied with Spillane for second-most in a season. Westcott trails Josh Klimek (12, 1996) for the most in a Big Ten season in program history.
This is Westcott's first weekly award of his career and he is the first Illini batter claim weekly conference honors since Kellen Sarver on May 25, 2021.
Fighting Illini baseball will be back in action on Friday, where they will take on Rutgers to begin the final Big Ten series of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT.
