MINNEAPOLIS(Gophersports.com) - Junior shortstop Michael Handel has been named Big Ten Player of the Week, the conference announced today.

The Sun Prairie, Wis., native batted 4-for-8 in three games during the week. He hit 2-for-5 with a double, a run and an RBI in the Gophers' win against North Dakota State on Wednesday.

Handel then batted 4-for-8 with five RBIs and two runs in Minnesota's first two games at Iowa. He hit a home run in the series opener, and three doubles in the second game.

The conference honor is Handel's first of his career. The Gophers' last Big Ten Player of the Week was Nick O'Shea in May 2011.

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