BTN.com staff, April 30, 2012

The Big Ten Conference released its Big Ten Softball Players of the Week for April 23-29 action Monday. See all the winners and check out what they did to earn the distinctions in this post.

Co-Player and Freshman of the Week: Jess Perkins, Illinois, Fr., 3B, Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg

  • Helped Illinois to a series win against conference-leading Michigan over the weekend
  • Hit a three-run homer in the top of the eighth to help the Illini to a 5-1 extra-inning win in Game 1
  • Was a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate in the Game 3 victory, scoring the game?s only two runs to secure the series win
  • Wins her first career Player of the Week award
  • Last Illinois Player of the Week: Jenna Mychko (March 5, 2012)
  • Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: N/A

Co-Player of the Week: Adrienne Monka, Northwestern, Sr., 1B, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga

  • Recorded a pair of two-RBI games to help Northwestern to a series win over Ohio State
  • Belted the game-winning two-run homer in Game 2 to clinch a 3-1 Wildcat victory before driving home two more in an 8-5 Game 3 triumph
  • Went 3-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI in a non-conference win over Northern Illinois
  • Wins her fifth career conference weekly honor and first this season
  • Last Northwestern Player of the Week: Adrienne Monka (April 25, 2011)

Co-Pitchers of the Week: Pepper Gay, Illinois, Jr., P, Avondale Estates, Ga./St. Pius X

  • Posted two victories against nationally ranked and first-place Michigan over the weekend
  • Allowed just one earned run over 15.0 innings of work, good for an 0.47 ERA
  • Scattered just 10 hits over two outings, surrendering six hits in eight innings in Game 1 followed by four hits over seven innings in Game 3
  • Wins her first Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honor
  • Last Illinois Pitcher of the Week: Monica Perry (April 19, 2010)

Tatum Edwards, Nebraska, So., P, Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta

  • Pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 2 of Saturday?s doubleheader against Michigan State
  • Scattered just five hits and struck out six against one walk to help Nebraska to a 3-0 win
  • Wins her second career Big Ten honor
  • Last Nebraska Pitcher of the Week: Ashley Hagemann (April 9, 2012)