By Keith Thomas
Staff Writer

Following a sweep of then No. 25 Illinois over the weekend, Purdue pulled off another sweep on Monday by winning both ends of the Big Ten’s weekly awards.

Exactly a week after Purdue closer Andy Helmer was recognized by the Big Ten as the one of the week’s outstanding performers, seniors Daryl Hallada and David Gassner were named conference Player- and Pitcher- of-the-Week.

Fresh off a sweep of former Big Ten leading Illinois, Purdue (28-14, 13-7 Big Ten) and its two latest conference honorees get set for a pair of mid-week non-conference games beginning at 3 p.m. this afternoon with in-state rival IUPUI at Lambert Field.

Hallada, who is Purdue’s all-time leading hitter with 263 career hits, said it's an honor anytime a member of the Boilermakers is recognized by the conference.

Prior to this week’s action, the Janesville, Wis., native was struggling at the plate. But after this week, in which he batted .450 with four doubles and eight RBIs in four games against the Illini, Hallada said he feels the slump is over.

"There’s two things about slumps," he said. "It’s part mental and part mechanical. I told myself mentally to get more aggressive at the plate. Mechanically, I just wanted to work on my timing."

Just a week ago, Hallada was batting .261. But following a 5-1 Purdue week, Hallada raised his season average to .288 — thanks in part to his .571 batting average against the Illini.

"It feels great," he said. "I’ve been hitting the ball real well now. I feel I overcame a little adversity."

The second half of the recognized duo and the second consecutive Boiler hurler to be named for the honor is Gassner (5-3).

Gassner, who is also a native of Wisconsin, was awarded the honor for his performance against No. 25 Illinois in the second half of a Purdue doubleheader. Gassner took a no-hitter into the fifth inning against the second best offensive team in the Big Ten. He ended up scattering two hits in his complete game, and he didn't allow an earn run on the day. He struck out two Illini batters and allowed only one free pass. Gassner, whose ERA dropped to 3.61 over the weekend, is holding opposition to a .257 batting average.

"He pitched well and it was reflected in the outcome of the game," said Purdue second-year coach Doug Schreiber. "Both of these are very deserving awards."