STATE COLLEGE, Pa., April 4, 2001 The Big Ten Conference announced earlier this week that sophomore Erin Norton (Orange, Calif./El Modena) was named Softball Player of the Week. This is the first time this season that a Nittany Lion has received the honor.

Norton had 12 hits in 23 trips and eight RBI in six games, helping the Lions to a 3-3 week, including a 3-0 win over No. 12 Iowa. She went 4-for-4 in a win over St. Francis (Pa.), racking up three RBI. The four hits against the Red Flash is a career high for the first baseman. She also posted three RBI in the victory over the defending regular season Big Ten Champion Hawkeyes. Norton is now averaging .300 at the plate for the first time all season after hitting .522 last week.

Penn State is 19-13 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten games. The Nittany Lions are playing a doubleheader at Kent State on Wednesday, April 4, but will be back at home to play a pair of Big Ten games against Illinois on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at noon.

--LIONS--