WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Senior Ashley Burkhardt and freshman Maya Hughes were named Big Ten Co-Player and Freshman of the Week respectively for their efforts at the FIU Invitational in Miami last weekend. The honor is the second of Burkhardt's career, following Co-Player of the Week honors on Feb. 18, 2014, and the first for Hughes.
Burkhardt had at least one hit in all five of Purdue's weekend victories including four home runs, drove in a team-best 11 RBI and scored eight runs. She batted .588 with a 1.353 slugging percentage, including two three two-hit efforts and a 3-for-4 performance. The first baseman swiped a school record tying three bases in the weekend opener against Long Island, while going 2-for-2 with two RBI and a home run. Against Florida International, the senior had three hits, including a home run and two runs scored. On Saturday, she went a combined 3-for-7 with seven RBI, four runs and two steals in wins over Memphis and LIU. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native wrapped up the weekend going 2-for-4 with a double against FIU. Burkhardt has now posted a hit in seven straight games.
Hughes led the Boilermaker bats with a .667 average, .706 on-base percentage and six steals as Purdue won the all five of its games at the FIU Invitational. The rookie had 10 hits in 15 at-bats, including three two-hit efforts and a three-hit day. She scored five runs and drove in four RBI, while tying the Purdue game-record for steals with three against Memphis on Saturday. The outfielder went 2-for-3 against Florida International, Memphis and Long Island, and posted a 3-for-4 effort on Sunday against FIU. The Nolensville, Tenn., native drove in the game-winning RBI against Florida International on Friday.
The Boilermakers (6-4) return to action on Friday against Oakland and Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla.