Junior captain bats .455 to lead Buckeyes to 5-0 record on the weekend.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sam Marder earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors Monday after helping lead the No. 17/22 Ohio State softball team to an unblemished 5-0 record on the weekend. She batted .455 with a 1.091 slugging average and .667 on-base percentage as the Buckeyes extended its winning streak to nine games and improved to 20-3 on the season. The junior co-captain also drove in three runs while slugging one homer, one triple and two doubles.

Against Loyola, Marder doubled home teammate Dee Dee Hillman and the Buckeyes never looked back, defeating the Ramblers, 3-1. The next day vs. No. 17 Louisville, the catcher started the scoring drive for the Buckeyes who defeated the Cardinals, 3-2.

In weekend matchups against Eastern Michigan, Marder went 4-for-7 and posted five of her six RBI from last week over two contests. The Calabasas, Calif., native hit safely in five of 11 at-bats and was walked seven times. Behind Marder’s offense, the Buckeyes captured their ninth consecutive win on the season, improving to 20-3 on in 2009.

Marder and the Buckeyes usher in a new era of Ohio State softball Saturday when they play the first game at the new Buckeye Field at 2 p.m. against Michigan State. Admission is free for all fans.