Mike Wolf, BTN volleyball announcer, March 18, 2012

The Big Ten Conference released its Big Ten Softball Players of the Week for March 12-18 action Monday. See all the winners and check out what they did to earn the distinctions in this post.

Player of the Week: Alicia Herron, Ohio State, Sr., SS, Cypress, Calif./Cypress

  • Batted .500, drove in eight runs, scored five more and stole two bases in leading Ohio State to a 3-0 mark at the TSU Classic over the weekend
  • Finished the week with an OPS of 1.917 after hitting two home runs and two singles while also drawing two walks
  • Against Belmont, launched both home runs and posted five RBI, one of two multi-RBI games of the week, en route to earning All-Tournament honors
  • Wins the third Big Ten Player of the Week honor of her career
  • Last Ohio State Player of the Week: Courtney Pruner (April 12, 2010)

Pitcher of the Week: Ashley Hagemann, Nebraska, Sr., RHP, Elkhorn, Neb./Elkhorn

  • Completed the week with an unblemished ERA, surrendering just three hits over 12.0 innings in a double-header against South Dakota
  • Threw seven innings of one-hit ball in the opening game of the twinbill, striking out 10 against just two walks in a 7-0 victory
  • Pitched five innings in Game 2, allowing just two hits and one walk while fanning 12 in the 8-0 triumph
  • Wins her first Big Ten Pitcher of the Week accolade
  • Last Nebraska Pitcher of the Week: N/A

Freshman of the Week: Stephanie Sanders, Michigan State, Fr., UT, Lima, Ohio/Bath

  • Drove in seven runs and hit two home runs to help Michigan State to three wins at the Hoosier Classic
  • Had a hit in each game, including a two-hit effort against Wright State, to finish the week with a .417 average
  • Belted a three-run homer against UIC and finished the week with a two-run long ball against Wright State to combine for a weekly OPS of 1.462
  • Claims her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week award
  • Last Michigan State Freshman of the Week:  Cassee Layne (Feb. 21, 2011)