Following an outstanding week, sophomore Jack Natili was named the Big 12 Conference Player and Newcomer of the Week.

Natili led Cincinnati at the plate last week, hitting .556 (10-for-18) across four games while homering twice and driving in nine runs. His week started with back-to-back four-hit performances as he went 4-for-4 with a double and two RBI in the win at Oral Roberts, and he went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in the opener at TCU. Natili also walked twice while striking out only twice during UC's four-game week last week.

A steady presence behind the plate, Natili is hitting .347 this season and has started 39 games at catcher this season. He was incredible on Cincinnati's recent 11-day road trip, hitting .621 (18-for-29) with three home runs and 13 RBI. Natili has at least four hits in three of his last six games.