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

Co-Player of the Week 

Britain Beshears, Michigan State  

So. – 1B – Novi, Mich. – Walled Lake Central – Major: Business Management 

• Led Michigan State with four home runs, eight RBI over the weekend as the Spartans went 4-1 at the Maverick Invitational 

• Beshears became the 25th player in program history to hit multiple home runs in the same game on Saturday against UT Arlington  

• In the 9-1 win vs. UT Arlington, Beshears broke the scoreless stretch in the fourth inning, slugging her third home run of the weekend to put MSU ahead 2-0. She tallied a two-run home run in seventh to extend the Spartan advantage 

• Earns her first career Player of the Week honor 

• Last Michigan State Player of the Week: Lea Foerster (February 27, 2017)  

Co-Player of the Week 

Sydney Gray, Nebraska 

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

• Powered the Nebraska offense in a 4-1 weekend, averaging 1.0 hit, 1.0 run and 2.0 RBI per game  

• Had five hits, five runs, three home runs and 10 RBI in the four wins, driving in the game-winning run in two games 

• Reached base three times with a home run and 3 RBI against Montana 

• Had two home runs (tied career-high) and six RBI (career-best) vs. Sacramento State 

• Earns her second career Player of the Week honor 

• Last Nebraska Player of the Week: Brooke Andrews (April 17, 2023) 

Pitcher of the Week 

Brianna Copeland, Indiana 

Jr. – RHP – Pelham, Ala. – Pelham – Major: Marketing and Management 

• Helped Indiana to a 4-1 weekend, going 3-0 in the circle 

• Allowed zero runs, recorded one walk and 14 strikeouts with seven hits in 11.1 innings pitched  

• Held opposing batters to a .175 batting average 

• Earns her first career Pitcher of the Week honor, fourth honor overall 

• Last Indiana Pitcher of the Week: Emily Goodin (May 11, 2021) 

Freshman of the Week

Jaeya Butler, Michigan State  

2B – Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. – Aquinas HS – Major: Human Biology  

• Finished the weekend with a .438 batting average, helping the Spartans to a 4-1 weekend at the Maverick Invitational 

• Led the Spartans with eight runs scored 

• Recorded five RBI and four extra-base hits (two doubles, two home runs) 

• Tallied a three-run home run against RV Boise State, tying the game at 5-5 in the fifth inning, which later helped the Spartans to an 8-5 win 

• Last Michigan State Freshman of the Week: Ashley Miller (March 2, 2021) 

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