The fourth Illini softball player has been named Big Ten Player of the Week. Center fielder, Hope Howell has joined Kelley Wedel (March 1), Meredith Hackett (March 22) and Monica Perry (Pitcher of the Week on April 19) for weekly honor.

Howell went 7-for-13 with one double, one home run, five runs scored and six RBI in leading Illinois to two-game series sweeps against Purdue and Minnesota.

Howell finishes the regular season with a .416 average, 11 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 38 RBI. The Lithonia, Ga., native is also second in the Big Ten in hits, with 69, only trailing teammate Danielle Zymkowitz who has 72 hits. The senior is also fourth in the conference in batting average.

The Illini will move on to the postseason Friday, as it competes against Depaul (38-16) in the NCAA Regional in Columbia, Mo.