Penn State standout Lexie Black wins Big Ten Player of the Week

After a mid-season slump, Penn State softball has recently been riding a hot streak. The Nittany Lions have won six of their last seven games, including two of three against Maryland this past weekend. A critical component of the wins against the Terrapins was Penn State standout Lexie Black, who almost single-handily won the series for the Lions. And as a result of the showing, Black is bringing home some hardware as she was recognized as Big Ten Player of the Week. 

Penn State standout Lexie Black wins Big Ten Player of the Week

On Monday, the Big Ten conference announced its weekly softball honors. This week’s selections included Penn State softball’s own Lexie Black, who had a scorching hot series of games this past week. Over the past week, the senior tallied five hits, seven RBIs, and three home runs.

?? Congrats to this week's #B1GSoftball honorees!

??????: Lexie Black, @PennStateSB
???????: Autumn Pease, @GopherSoftball
????????: Taryn Kern, @IndianaSB

? https://t.co/jv9TQ4aoJP pic.twitter.com/HPvFqLYgTm

— Big Ten Softball (@B1Gsoftball) April 24, 2023

Black’s weekend of dominance was perhaps best highlighted by her statement home run on Friday to open the series against Maryland with a win. But outside her home runs, her impact was also felt by the crucial RBI single she hit to tie the series’ final game. 

AIN'T NO PARTY LIKE A PENN STATE PARTY. Lexie Black blasts her SECOND bomb of the GAME to put us up in the top of the eighth??

T8 | PSU 3, UMD 2#WeAre pic.twitter.com/8cB6eXIy6z

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 22, 2023

Statistically, Black is one of the best hitters for the Nittany Lions this year. Black’s average of .333 is tied for first with Kaitlyn Morrison. Her eight home runs, which also leads the team, was bolstered after her huge weekend against Maryland. Black’s offensive firepower also extends to her staggering 1.120 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), 30 RBIs, and .692 slugging percentage. She is also second on the team with 39 hits this year, only behind Morrison’s 40. If that wasn’t enough, Black has tallied a whopping 14 doubles over the 40 games she has played this season.  

Black’s breakout performance this past week against Maryland is a testament to what she has been doing all season. Black has been a leader in the batter’s box and a critical component of Penn State’s turnaround in recent weeks. So, while much attention has been given to the Lions’ record-setting pitcher Bailey Parshall, Lexie Black’s standout year, and Big Ten Player of the Week performance, shouldn’t go unnoticed. 

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