Minnesota softball players Valerie Alston and Angie Recknor have been named the Big Ten Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, following their outstanding performance last weekend at the 2003 Metrodome Classic.

Alston, a true freshman catcher/designated player, had an solid debut to her college career, posting a .400 batting with a team-best seven RBIs at the season-opening tournament. She went 6-for-15 at the tournament with five runs scored to help lead the Gophers to their third consecutive Classic title. For her efforts, Alston was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Recknor, a senior, earned tournament MVP honors at the Classic, going 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts. She had two complete games and led Minnesota to the title in the final game against Drake with nine strikeouts versus only two hits and one walk. Opponents batted only .148 against Recknor. In addition, Recknor led the Classic with a .750 batting average, going 6-for-8 with three RBI and a home run.

Soccer signs two

Minnesota’s soccer team has announced the signing of two top recruits to join the Gophers in 2003. Haley Lentsch and Kjirsten Sigmund have each signed National Letters of Intent.

Lentsch, a native of Woodbury, Minn., joins the Maroon and Gold as a 2002 all-state forward from Stillwater Area High School.

Sigmund comes to Gold Country from Nanaimo, British Columbia as a standout defender/central midfielder and a member of the U-17 Canadian National Team.