For the second straight week, an Illini senior was named Big Ten Player of the Week, announced the conference office Monday. First baseman David Kerian earned his first career weekly honor by hitting .600 (9-for-15) and leading Illinois to a school-record 21-game winning streak with a perfect 4-0 week.

Kerian recorded multiple hits in every game and scored in all four contests, totaling six runs, five RBI and a homer. He hit a team-high .636 (7-for-11) with five runs and three RBI in the weekend sweep at No. 23 Ohio State following a 2-for-4 performance with two RBI and a run in a midweek win at Southern Illinois.

In the series finale in Columbus, Kerian belted his Big Ten-leading 11th home run and later connected on a go-ahead two-run single as part of a 3-for-4 day with three RBI.

No. 3 Illinois will play its final six games of the regular season at Illinois Field, beginning with a series against Rutgers this weekend (May 8-10). The Illini close out the Big Ten campaign with a home series against Nebraska (May 14-16).

Illinois is ranked No. 3 in this week's Collegiate Baseball poll, marking the highest ranking in program history. It is the fourth straight week the Illini are ranked in the Top 10.

The U of I also is ranked No. 4 by Perfect Game, No. 6 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll and on D1Baseball.com, and No. 7 by Baseball America.

Illinois boasts the No. 1 winning percentage (0.862) in NCAA Division I Baseball and has the fewest losses (6). The Illini are tied for second in the nation with 40 wins.

No. 3 Illinois will play its final six games of the regular season at Illinois Field, beginning with a series against Rutgers this weekend (May 8-10). The Illini close out the Big Ten campaign with a home series against Nebraska (May 14-16).