University of Minnesota Athletics
Sudenga, Neal Named to All-Big Ten Tournament Team
5/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Gopher freshmen Brianna Sudenga and Natalie Neal have been named to the 2008 Big Ten Softball All-Tournament team, it was announced Saturday afternoon. The players led Minnesota in its first postseason experience since the 2004 season, as the Gophers won their first Big Ten Tournament game since 1999.
Neal went 1-for-5 during Minnesota's two games, but her lone hit was the team's biggest. Neal connected on a two-out, two-RBI double in the bottom half of the sixth inning against Purdue's Suzie Rzegocki Friday afternoon, breaking up the pitcher's no-hitter and tying the score at 3-3. The Gophers went on to beat the Boilermakers 5-4 in the opening round game, winning on a bases-loaded single by Malisa Barnes in the seventh inning.
Sudenga played an important role in Minnesota's game-winning rally against the Boilermakers as well. The South Dakota native started the final inning comeback with a sharp single to left field and would later score from third base on Barnes' game-winning hit. Sudenga was 1-for-3 total in the Gophers' two games, reaching base on a walk and laying down a sacrifice bunt. She also did not commit an error in the field in four chances.
The Gophers (29-16) must now sit and wait as they hope for an at-large bid to the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The tournament's selection show will air at 9 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Top-seeded and 12th-ranked Northwestern went on to beat third seed Iowa 1-0 Saturday in the conference championship game.
