Four Nebraska softball players earn Big Ten postseason honors

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A slew of Nebraska softball players got postseason honors from the Big Ten on Wednesday.

Billie Andrews was named to the All-Big Ten first team, and Sydney Gray earned All-Big Ten second-team honors.

This is Andrews’ fourth straight season being selected as an All-Big Ten performer.

She joins Mj Knighten as the only player in program history to be a four-time honoree.

Andrews finished the regular season batting .363 with 61 hits, 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 51 runs, 39 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.

Gray — who notched her first All-Big Ten honor — hit .288 with 11 doubles, 12 home runs and 40 RBIs this season.

She was also a three-time Big Ten Player of the Week in 2024.

Samantha Bland got a spot on the All-Freshman team, and Mckinley Malecha won a Big Ten Sportsmanship award.

Bland — who started games at left field, center field, second base and shortstop — hit .290 with 47 hits, 14 doubles, six homers and 36 RBIs.

Malecha, a team captain this season, played in 28 games with four starts.  She also earned a 2024 Tom Osborne Citizenship Team honor for her community outreach.

Nebraska is facing the winner of Minnesota vs. Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday.  That game is being broadcast on the Big Ten Network.