Nebraska, Michigan State and Northwestern Earn Big Ten Softball Weekly Awards

Player of the Week

Sydney Gray, Nebraska

Sr. – 3B – Tucson, Ariz. – Sabino – Major: Finance 

• Collected six hits, two home runs, seven RBI, a .545 batting average and 1.091 slugging clip during Nebraska’s 2-1 series victory at Minnesota
• Had two hits, including a home run, to open the series
• Batted .667, had a 1.667 slugging percentage and five RBI in game two
• Connected on the game-winning three-run homer on Saturday
• Was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI to close out the weekend
• Last Nebraska Player of the Week: Billie Andrews (March 18, 2024)

Pitcher of the Week

Liv Grey, Michigan State

Gr. – RHP – Woodland, Wash. – Woodland – Master’s: Criminal Justice  

• Helped Michigan State go 4-0 on the week and record its first Big Ten series sweep since 2018
• Tossed 15.1 innings on her way to a 2-0 record, 24 strikeouts and a 0.46 ERA against Oakland and Purdue
• Pitched her first complete game shutout of the season in the series-opening win over Purdue on Friday
• Had one inning of relief to earn her first save of the 2024 campaign on Saturday, combining for a shutout
• Held opponents to a .115 batting average and just six hits over four games
• Last Michigan State Pitcher of the Week: Liv Grey (March 4, 2024)

Freshman of the Week

Emma Raye, Northwestern

C/IF – Superior, Wis. – Superior Senior – Major: Undeclared

• Homered in both of Northwestern’s wins over Indiana to help the Wildcats claim their third-straight Big Ten regular season crown
• Knocked a solo dinger in Friday’s 6-3 win
• Hit a two-run go-ahead homer to lock in a 4-2 victory on Sunday
• Caught a pair of runners stealing from behind the plate
• Last Northwestern Freshman of the Week: Izzy Cunnea (April 8, 2024)

2024 Big Ten Softball Honorees

Feb. 12

PL: Katie Wingert, Gr., RU

P: Bridget Nemeth, Fr., PSU

F: Jasmyn Burns, OSU

Feb. 19 

PL: Britain Beshears, So., MSU

       Sydney Gray, Sr., NEB

P: Brianna Copeland, Jr., IND

F: Jaeya Butler, MSU

Feb. 26 

PL: Billie Andrews, Sr., NEB

P: Ashley Miller, Gr., NU

F: Bridget Nemeth, PSU

March 4

PL: Kaitlyn Morrison, R-Sr., PSU

P: Liv Grey, Gr., MSU

F: Ashlynn Campbell, PUR

March 11

PL: Sydney Gray, Sr., NEB

P: Courtney Wyche, Gr., MD

F: Jasmyn Burns, OSU

March 18

PL: Billie Andrews, Sr., NEB

P: Ashley Miller, Gr., NU

F: Jenissa Conway, MICH

March 26

PL: Kansas Robinson, So., NU

P: Lauren Derkowski, Jr., MICH

F: Bridget Nemeth, PSU

April 1

PL: Jess Oakland, So., MINN

P: Jalen Adams, So., IOWA

    Courtney Wyche, Gr., MD

F: Ella Stephenson, MICH

April 8

PL: Sarah Stone, Jr., IND

P: Mattie Boyd, Gr., RU

F: Izzy Cunnea, NU

     Bridget Nemeth, PSU

April 15

PL: Keke Tholl, Sr., MICH

       Morgan Smith, Sr., RU

P: Ashley Miller, Gr., NU

F: Ella Stephenson, MICH

April 22

PL: Kami Kortokrax, Jr., OSU

P: Ashley Miller, Gr., NU

F: Alex Cooper, IND

    Ella Stephenson, MICH

April 30

PL: Jess Oakland, So., MINN

P: Lauren Derkowski, Jr., MICH

F: Ella Stephenson, MICH

May 6

PL: Sydney Gray, Sr., NEB

P: Liv Grey, Gr., MSU

F: Emma Raye, NU