2011 NEBRASKA SOFTBALL MEDIA GUIDE

Transcription

1 2011 NEBRASKA SOFTBALL MEDIA GUIDE INTRODUCTION Table of Contents...1 Media Services & Information...1 Nebraska Softball Bowlin Stadium Roster & Breakdown Schedule & Notes Season Outlook HUSKERS Sophomore Gabby Banda...12 Senior Julie Brechtel...13 Junior Madison Drake...14 Senior Heidi Foland...15 Junior Ashley Guile...16 Junior Ashley Hagemann...17 Junior Nikki Haget...18 Sophomore Megan Southworth...19 Sophomore Brooke Thomason...20 Senior Tori Tyson...21 Junior Kirby Wright...22 Freshman Tatum Edwards...23 Freshman Taylor Edwards...23 Freshman Morgan McCann...24 Redshirt Freshman Kylee Muir...24 Junior Haley Workman...25 Junior Saige Wright...25 COACHES & STAFF Head Coach Rhonda Revelle Associate Head Coach Lori Sippel Assistant Coach Diane Miller Coaching Staff Statistical Rankings...34 Softball Support Staff...35 Athletic Director Tom Osborne...36 University Administration SEASON REVIEW Season Review & Notebook Schedule & Results...40 Statistics Big 12 Conference Review...43 HUSKER HISTORY & RECORDS Women s College World Series Teams NFCA All-Americans CoSIDA Academic All-Americans...48 All-Time Honors & Awards Letterwinners Year-by-Year Results Yearly Breakdown...63 All-Time Postseason Results...64 All-Time Opponent Series Records Season-by-Season Statistics...71 Game Records...72 Season Records...73 Individual Season Records Individual Class Records Individual Career Records OPPONENT INFORMATION Tournament Information & Notes Opponents MEDIA GUIDE CREDITS The 2011 Nebraska softball media guide was designed and written by Assistant Media Relations Director Matt Smith, with editorial assistance provided by Media Relations Director of Operations Jeff Griesch and Media Relations Administrative Assistant Vicki Capazo. The cover was designed by Annie Wood. The guide was printed by the University of Nebraska Copy Services. Photography credits to Scott Bruhn and BreAnna Haessler. Cost of the guide is $4.67, plus $0.33 tax. NEBRASKA MEDIA SERVICES & INFORMATION The media relations contact for softball is Assistant Media Relations Director Matt Smith, who is in his eighth season working with the softball program. Photographs, feature ideas, statistics, travel plans and video highlights are available through the media relations office. MEDIA ACCESS/SERVICES Working media personnel will be seated in the softball press box, which is located above the stands behind home plate. Photographers may shoot in the fenced area in front of either bullpen, or from anywhere on the concourse level as long as it does not obstruct the view of the game. There is also a space reserved in front of the press box behind home plate for photographers and television cameras. High-speed internet is available in the press box. DIRECTIONS TO BOWLIN STADIUM From Lincoln Municipal Airport: Take West Adams Street to the first stoplight and turn right onto Cornhusker Highway. Follow Cornhusker Highway and turn right on First Street. Go south until you reach Sun Valley Boulevard and turn right onto Sun Valley Boulevard. Turn left onto Line Drive and Bowlin Stadium is located on the north end of the Haymarket Park complex. From Omaha Eppley Airport: Exit the airport and turn right onto Abbott Drive. Go one mile to Storz Expressway (Abbott Drive turns into Storz Expressway). Proceed three miles to I-480 South. Follow the signs to 1-80 West to Lincoln. Follow I-80 for 60 miles and take Exit 403 (27th Street). Take 27th Street to Cornhusker Highway and turn right. Go west to 10th Street, turn left, and follow Highway 6/Sun Valley Boulevard. Once on Sun Valley Boulevard, turn left onto Line Drive and Bowlin Stadium is located on the north end of the Haymarket Park complex. Parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Haymarket Park complex. All parking is free, but space may be limited when both baseball and softball are at home. MEDIA INTERVIEWS All interviews must be arranged through the media relations office. The best time to reach Head Coach Rhonda Revelle for interviews during the week is from 9 to 11:30 a.m., at (402) Player interviews during the week are generally conducted after practice, usually between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Postgame interviews with the coaches and players are conducted on the field following the final game of the day. In the case of inclement weather, interviews may be conducted in the Bowlin Stadium clubhouse. NEBRASKA QUICK FACTS Location...Lincoln, Neb. Population ,001 Founded Enrollment... 24,610 Nickname... Cornhuskers, Huskers Colors... Scarlet & Cream Conference...Big 12 Affiliation... NCAA Division I Athletic Director... Tom Osborne Senior Woman Administrator... Pat Logsdon SOFTBALL INFORMATION Head Coach...Rhonda Revelle (19th year) Alma Mater...Nebraska (1984) Record at NU (years) (18 years) Overall record (years) (19 years) Associate Coach...Lori Sippel (22nd year) Alma Mater...Nebraska (1988) Assistant Coach... Diane Miller (third year) Alma Mater... Missouri Southern (1992) Home Stadium (Capacity)... Bowlin Stadium (2,500) 2010 Overall Record Big 12 Record (t-6th) Postseason Finish...NCAA Regional Postseason Record Letterwinners Returning/Lost...11/5 Position Starters Returning/Lost...8/2 Pitchers Returning/Lost...1/2 SOFTBALL HISTORY First Year of Softball All-Time Record...1, (.635) All-Time Conference Record (.576) Big 12 Conference Record (.628) Overall Conference Titles Overall Big Eight Conference Titles Overall Big 12 Conference Titles... 6 Big 12 Regular-Season Titles... 3 Big 12 Championship Titles... 3 NCAA Tournament Appearances NCAA Tournament Record (.552) NCAA Regional Record (.592) College World Series Appearances... 7 College World Series Record (.440) Honda Award Winners... 1 Honda Award Nominees... 3 Total NFCA All-Americans Total CoSIDA Academic All-Americans SOFTBALL DIRECTORY Head Coach: Rhonda Revelle Associate Head Coach: Lori Sippel Assistant Coach: Diane Miller Administrative Assistant: Anita Jensen Video Manager/Office Asst.: Amanda Duran Softball Fax Softball Press Box Media Relations Director: Matt Smith Cell Phone Media Relations Fax Media Relations Mailing Address... One Memorial Stadium; Lincoln, NE Softball Mailing Address... Bowlin Stadium at Haymarket Park 400 Line Drive Circle Lincoln, NE

2 O R N H U THIS IS NEBRASKA Nebraska softball is dedicated to excellence in the classroom, in society and on the field. This is the mission statement of Nebraska softball and the program's proud results echo each of these sentiments: Produced more CoSIDA Academic All-Americans than any other softball program in the country and the second-highest total nationally among all female sports. Ranking among the top 10 in NCAA Division I history in Women's College World Series appearances (8th), NCAA Tournament victories (9th) and NCAA Tournament appearances (10th). Won 18 conference titles, including six Big 12 championships in 15 seasons. Leading the way for continued success is Head Coach Rhonda Revelle, the only NFCA Hall of Fame coach in the Big 12. Helping Revelle in her quest is Associate Head Coach Lori Sippel, an International Softball Federation Hall of Famer who served as head coach of the 2008 Canadian Olympic team. Assistant Coach Diane Miller, the newest member of the Husker staff, is an energetic and dynamic coach who has helped Nebraska set several offensive records in her two seasons in Lincoln. Together, the coaching staff is dedicated to adding to the rich tradition of success that is Nebraska softball Nebraska s 53 all-time NCAA Tournament wins rank ninth nationally. Nebraska s 27 all-time CoSIDA Academic All- Americans lead the nation. Nebraska s 20 all-time NCAA Tournament appearances rank 10th nationally. Nebraska was recognized as the 10th-winningest program in the NCAA era in Nebraska s seven all-time Women s College World Series appearances rank eighth nationally.

3 S K E R S BIG 12 DOMINANCE The Big 12, established in 1996, is widely regarded as one of the top softball conferences in the country. The league has sent at least one team to the WCWS every season since Even with some of the best programs in the nation residing within the conference, Nebraska has still risen to the top. The Huskers are the second-winningest program in the Big 12 Conference, winning nearly 65 percent of their league games, while claiming six titles and six runner-up finishes in only 15 seasons. Individuals have also seen great success, as Nebraska ranks second in the conference in All-Big 12 selections and the Huskers lead the conference in All-Big 12 pitchers. The Huskers will complete competition in the Big 12 Conference this spring, before becoming the 12th member of the Big Ten Conference. Nebraska By the Numbers in the Big Nebraska ranks second with 62 all-time All-Big 12 selections. 53 Nebraska s 53 all-time NCAA Tournament wins rank third. 50 Nebraska s 50 all-time All-Region picks rank second. 47 Nebraska s 46 combined All- Americans lead the Big Revelle s 11 academic All- Americans lead the Big Nebraska s seven WCWS trips are tied for the Big 12 lead. 6 Nebraska s six Big 12 titles rank third in the Big Nebraska s three postseason titles rank second in the Big NU boasts the only undefeated season in Big 12 history (1998).

4 MORE THAN A DECADE OF DOMINANCE Nebraska has finished in the top five at the Women s College World Series twice since The Huskers tied for fifth in 2002, including a victory over Michigan (pictured). Head Coach Rhonda Revelle and her staff, charged with building upon one of the most storied foundations in collegiate softball, have been determined to continue the Nebraska tradition to the present day. From 1998 to 2010, the Huskers competed in 12 NCAA Tournaments, advancing to a pair of Women's College World Series and finishing in a tie for fifth place in each trip. Nebraska won better than 65 percent of its games from 1998 to 2010, while capturing six Big 12 championships and finishing among the nation's top 15 in the final NFCA/USA Today coaches poll seven times. The 1998 Huskers also put together the only undefeated season in Big 12 history, finishing 16-0 en route to the regular-season title, then going 4-0 while winning the Big 12 postseason championship. Individuals have also seen success recently, earning nine All- America awards and seven academic All-America certificates since In a stellar career from 1997 to 2000, Jennifer Lizama earned three NFCA All-America awards while helping the Huskers to three Big 12 titles and the 1998 Women s College World Series. More than a Decade of Excellence: NU from 1998 to Nebraska advanced to 12 NCAA Tournaments. 9 Led by nine All- Americans, NU was ranked nine times. 6 NU ranked in the top 10 nationally in attendance six times. 3 Nebraska recorded its only three 50-win seasons.

5 BEYOND NEBRASKA Three Huskers helped lead Canada to a fourth-place finish at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the country s best finish ever. NU Associate Head Coach Lori Sippel (middle) was Canada s head coach, posting a 3-5 record. Former HuskerSheena Lawrick (left) was Canada s starting first baseman, while former Husker Robin Mackin (right) appeared in two games in the circle for the Canadians. Former Husker Nicole Trimboli was named Most Valuable Player of the 2008 NPF Championship Series, as she led the Chicago Bandits to the National ProFastpitch title. Playing Past Nebraska 5 A Big 12-high five Huskers played in the NPF s first season. 5 Five former Huskers have competed in the Olympics. 3 NU ranked second nationally with three NPF all-stars. 2 Two Huskers competed in each of the last two Olympics. The success and legacy of the Nebraska softball program is not limited to the Cornhusker State or a four-year college career. Using the training and tools taught at NU, former players have gone on to continue their playing careers on both the professional and international scenes. A Big 12-best two Huskers competed at both the 2004 Sydney Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics. Lori Sippel, a pitcher for Team Canada in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, also coached the Canadians in Beijing. In the professional ranks, the NU program has produced more National ProFastpitch All-Stars than any other collegiate program except UCLA. Former Huskers have competed on some of the grandest stages in the sport, and freshman Taylor Edwards proved there's room on those stages for those still in school, as she was invited to try out for the U.S. Junior National Team in May of 2010.

6 BOWLIN STADIUM The Huskers have ranked in the top 10 nationally in attendance in six of the nine seasons since Bowlin Stadium opened in Nebraska's best attended season came in That season, the Big 12 champion Huskers ranked fourth nationally with an average of 955 fans per game. Since 2003, the Huskers have drawn 17 crowds of 1,000 or larger. Five Largest Bowlin Stadium Crowds: 1,844 vs. Iowa (May 17, 2003) 1,585 vs. Lehigh (May 20, 2004) 1,417 vs. California (May 22, 2004) 1,318 vs. California (May 23, 2004) 1,242 vs. Creighton (May 21, 2004)

7 HOME OF CHAMPIONS: 2004 Field of the Year Bowlin Stadium is part of the 32-acre Haymarket Park complex that was built for $29.53 million in The 2004 SportsTurf Managers Association College/University Division Field of the Year, Bowlin Stadium opened in The clubhouse and locker room were renovated in 2010 and a new $4.75 million indoor practice facility (bottom) is scheduled to be completed in September. The Bowlin Stadium clubhouse includes medical facilities, coaches' offices and a locker room and players' lounge. Bowlin Stadium can accommodate up to 2,500 fans. It features 750 chairback seats with an up-close view of the action, as well as berm seating behind both dugouts and in the outfield and bleacher seating on the first base concourse. The dimensions of the field are 200 feet down both foul lines and 220 feet in center. NU is all-time at Bowlin Stadium.

8 2011 NEBRASKA ROSTER & BREAKDOWN ALPHABETICAL ROSTER No. Name Ht. Yr. Pos. B/T Hometown (High School/Previous School) 77 Banda, Gabby* 5-5 So. INF L/R Angleton, Texas (Angleton) 6 Brechtel, Julie*** 5-5 Sr. INF L/R Fullerton, Calif. (Sunny Hills) 9 Drake, Madison** 5-10 Jr. OF R/R Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest) 21 Edwards, Tatum 5-6 Fr. RHP/UTL R/R Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta) 12 Edwards, Taylor 5-7 Fr. C R/R Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta) 2 Foland, Heidi*** 5-7 Sr. INF R/R Grand Island, Neb. (Grand Island) 5 Guile, Ashley** 5-9 Jr. DP/UTL L/R Olathe, Kan. (East) 8 Hagemann, Ashley** 6-0 Jr. RHP R/R Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn) 55 Haget, Nikki** 5-6 Jr. OF L/R Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn) 28 McCann, Morgan 5-6 Fr. INF/OF R/R Omaha, Neb. (Burke) 20 Muir, Kylee 6-0 RFr. INF L/R Portland, Ore. (Lincoln) 00 Southworth, Megan* 5-4 So. OF R/R Papillion, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista) 18 Thomason, Brooke* 5-8 So. OF L/R Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley Northwest) 23 Tyson, Tori*** 5-9 Sr. OF L/R Corona, Calif. (Corona) 4 Workman, Haley 5-8 Jr. RHP R/R Easley, S.C. (Easley/Chattanooga State) 52 Wright, Kirby** 5-8 Jr. C R/R Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. (Hendrick Hudson) 22 Wright, Saige 5-7 Jr. INF/OF L/R Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Tuscaloosa Academy/Wallace State CC) NUMERICAL ROSTER No. Name Ht. Yr. Pos. B/T Hometown (High School/Previous School) 00 Megan Southworth* 5-4 So. OF R/R Papillion, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista) 2 Heidi Foland*** 5-7 Sr. INF R/R Grand Island, Neb. (Grand Island) 4 Haley Workman 5-8 Jr. RHP R/R Easley, S.C. (Easley/Chattanooga State) 5 Ashley Guile** 5-9 Jr. DP/UTL L/R Olathe, Kan. (East) 6 Julie Brechtel*** 5-5 Sr. INF L/R Fullerton, Calif. (Sunny Hills) 8 Ashley Hagemann** 6-0 Jr. RHP R/R Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn) 9 Madison Drake** 5-10 Jr. OF R/R Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest) 12 Taylor Edwards 5-7 Fr. C R/R Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta) 18 Brooke Thomason* 5-8 So. OF L/R Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley Northwest) 20 Kylee Muir 6-0 RFr. INF L/R Portland, Ore. (Lincoln) 21 Tatum Edwards 5-6 Fr. RHP/UTL R/R Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta) 22 Saige Wright 5-7 Jr. INF/OF L/R Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Tuscaloosa Academy/Wallace State CC) 23 Tori Tyson*** 5-9 Sr. OF L/R Corona, Calif. (Corona) 28 Morgan McCann 5-6 Fr. INF/OF R/R Omaha, Neb. (Burke) 52 Kirby Wright** 5-8 Jr. C R/R Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. (Hendrick Hudson) 55 Nikki Haget** 5-6 Jr. OF L/R Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn) 77 Gabby Banda* 5-5 So. INF L/R Angleton, Texas (Angleton) *denotes number of letters earned COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Rhonda Revelle (19th year)» career record in 19 seasons» record at Nebraska in 18 seasons Associate Head Coach: Lori Sippel (22nd year) Assistant Coach: Diane Miller (Third year) PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Julie Brechtel...breck-TELL Heidi Foland...fole-und Ashley Guile...GUY-ole Ashley Hagemann... HAH-guh-munn Kylee Muir... MEW-urr Rhonda Revelle...ruh-VELL CAREER ATHLETIC HONORS Julie Brechtel» NFCA All-Midwest Region Second Team (2010)» All-Big 12 Championship Team (2009)» Big 12 Player of the Week (March 16, 2009) Heidi Foland» Big 12 Player of the Week (May 3, 2008) Ashley Guile» NFCA All-Midwest Region Second Team (2010)» All-Big 12 First Team (2010)» Big 12 Player of the Week (May 11, 2010) Ashley Hagemann» Big 12 Co-Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 10, 2009) Nikki Haget» All-Big 12 Second Team (2010) Brooke Thomason» NFCA All-Midwest Region Second Team (2010)» All-Big 12 Second Team (2010)» Big 12 Player of the Week (March 15, 2010) HUSKER CAREER STATISTICS BATTING Player Avg. G-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SF SH SB/ATT PO A E FLD% Nikki Haget / Ashley Guile / Brooke Thomason / Julie Brechtel / Heidi Foland / Megan Southworth / Kirby Wright / Gabby Banda / Madison Drake / Ashley Hagemann / Tori Tyson / Totals , /78 1, PITCHING Player ERA W-L App. GS CG SHO/CO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR BF Avg. WP HBP Ashley Hagemann / ,

9 2011 NEBRASKA SCHEDULE & NOTES Day Date Opponent Location Time (CT) Radio Kajikawa Classic (hosted by Arizona State) Thursday Feb. 10 vs. Portland State Tempe, Ariz. 5 p.m. Huskers.com Friday Feb. 11 vs. San Jose State Tempe, Ariz. 3:30 p.m. Huskers.com Friday Feb. 11 vs. Arizona Tempe, Ariz. 8 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday Feb. 12 vs. Cal State Fullerton Tempe, Ariz. 12:30 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday Feb. 12 vs. Stanford Tempe, Ariz. 5:30 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday Feb. 13 vs. Oregon State Tempe, Ariz. 1:30 p.m. Huskers.com Sleep Inn Classic (hosted by North Texas) Friday Feb. 18 vs. Tennessee Tech Denton, Texas 12:30 p.m. Huskers.com Friday Feb. 18 at North Texas Denton, Texas 3 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday Feb. 19 vs. Centenary Denton, Texas 10 a.m. Huskers.com Saturday Feb. 19 vs. Northwestern State Denton, Texas 12:30 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday Feb. 20 vs. Tennessee Tech Denton, Texas 10 a.m. Huskers.com Cathedral City Classic (hosted by Oregon State) Friday Feb. 25 vs. BYU Cathedral City, Calif. 12:30 p.m. Huskers.com Friday Feb. 25 vs. Hawaii Cathedral City, Calif. 7:30 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday Feb. 26 vs. Nevada Cathedral City, Calif. 3 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday Feb. 27 vs. Ohio State Cathedral City, Calif. 10:30 a.m. Huskers.com Sunday Feb. 27 vs. Long Island Cathedral City, Calif. 1 p.m. Huskers.com Under Armour Showcase (hosted by South Florida) Friday March 11 vs. Radford Clearwater, Fla. 11:30 a.m. Huskers.com Friday March 11 vs. Maryland Clearwater, Fla. 2 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday March 12 vs. La Salle Clearwater, Fla. 2 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday March 12 vs. Florida Clearwater, Fla. 7 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday March 13 vs. Central Connecticut Clearwater, Fla. 8:30 a.m. Huskers.com Wednesday March 16 South Dakota (DH) Bowlin Stadium 3 & 5 p.m. Huskers.com Friday March 18 at New Mexico State Las Cruces, N.M. 5 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday March 19 at New Mexico State (DH) Las Cruces, N.M. 2 & 4 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday March 20 at New Mexico State Las Cruces, N.M. 1 p.m. Huskers.com Tuesday March 22 at UTEP (DH) El Paso, Texas 2 & 4 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday March 26 at Oklahoma* Norman, Okla. 2 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday March 27 at Oklahoma* Norman, Okla. Noon Huskers.com Wednesday March 30 Creighton Bowlin Stadium 6 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday April 2 at Kansas* Lawrence, Kan. 2 p.m. Sunday April 3 at Kansas* Lawrence, Kan. 1 p.m. Wednesday April 6 North Dakota State (DH) Bowlin Stadium 4 & 6 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday April 9 Texas* Bowlin Stadium 2 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday April 10 Texas* Bowlin Stadium Noon Huskers.com Wednesday April 13 at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 6 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday April 16 at Texas A&M* College Station, Texas 4 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday April 17 at Texas A&M* College Station, Texas Noon Huskers.com Friday April 22 Missouri* Bowlin Stadium 6 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday April 23 Missouri* Bowlin Stadium 4 p.m. Huskers.com Tuesday April 26 Northern Iowa Bowlin Stadium 5 p.m. Huskers.com Wednesday April 27 South Dakota State (DH) Bowlin Stadium 3 & 5 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday April 30 Texas Tech* Bowlin Stadium 1 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday May 1 Texas Tech* Bowlin Stadium Noon Huskers.com Saturday May 7 at Baylor* Waco, Texas 2 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday May 8 at Baylor* Waco, Texas Noon Huskers.com Tuesday May 10 Iowa State* Bowlin Stadium 5 p.m. Huskers.com Thursday May 12 at Iowa State* Ames, Iowa 3 p.m. Huskers.com Saturday May 14 Oklahoma State* Bowlin Stadium 2 p.m. Huskers.com Sunday May 15 Oklahoma State* Bowlin Stadium 1 p.m. Huskers.com Fri.-Sun. May NCAA Regional Campus Site TBA NCAA.com Thurs.-Sun. May NCAA Super Regional Campus Site TBA NCAA.com Thurs.-Wed. June 2-8 World Series Oklahoma City, Okla. TBA NCAA.com *Big 12 Conference game All times Central and subject to change. Please visit Huskers.com for an updated schedule prior to leaving for a game. Nearly every game in 2011 can be heard for free worldwide on Huskers.com, courtesy of the Husker Sports Network. SCHEDULE NOTES» Nebraska is scheduled to play 54 games in 2011, two shy of the NCAA limit of 56 regular-season games. For the first time since 1995, the Huskers will not compete in a postseason conference tournament. The Big 12 will not hold a conference tournament for the first time in the league's 16-year history.» The Huskers will play a balanced schedule in 2011 of 17 home games and 17 road games, while also competing in 20 neutral site games. Nebraska will play 17 road games for the second straight season, its highest number of road games since 1994.» Nebraska will play games in eight states (Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) and four time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific).» Forty-six percent of Nebraska's games will come against opponents who made the 2010 NCAA Tournament (25 of the 54 games). The Huskers will also play half of the 2010 Women's College World Series field, facing Arizona, BYU, Hawaii and Florida at neutral sites in the first four weeks of the season before hosting Missouri on April 22 and 23.» NU has a pair of challenging stretches against 2010 NCAA Tournament teams this season. In a nine-game stretch in February and March, Nebraska will face seven 2010 NCAA Tournament teams, including Hawaii and Florida, who both advanced to the Women's College World Series, and BYU, which advanced to the Super Regional round. Each of those seven games will be at a neutral site.» The Huskers will also face 12 postseason qualifiers from last season in a 13-game stretch that begins when Nebraska opens Big 12 play at Oklahoma on March 26 and wraps up when the Huskers host Missouri on April 22 and 23. The Sooners came one win shy of advancing to the Women's College World Series, while the Tigers made their second straight trip to the World Series in 2010.» Nebraska is scheduled to play 15 games against teams that finished the 2010 season ranked in the ESPN.com/USA Softball top-25 poll, including seven contests against top-10 teams. Six of the 15 games against ranked teams will be at home, with five more at neutral sites and four on the road.» NU faces a challenging start to Big 12 Conference play. The Huskers are on the road for three of the first four weekends of conference action, playing six of their first eight league games away from Lincoln. Overall, 10 of Nebraska's first 12 conference games come against 2010 NCAA Tournament teams.» The 2011 season marks Nebraska's final year of competition in the Big 12 Conference before becoming the 12th member of the Big Ten Conference on July 1. The Huskers have competed in the Big 12 since the spring of 1996, when softball was the first sport to compete in the newly formed Big 12, before the league's first official season in Nebraska enters this season with an all-time Big 12 record of , second best in the league.» The 2011 NCAA Tournament will feature a 64-team field for the ninth consecutive season and will include a regional and super regional format for the seventh straight year. Both NCAA Regional and NCAA Super Regional play will be held on campus sites around the country. Nebraska made its 20th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010, but the Huskers have not advanced to a super regional since the NCAA first adopted that format in 2005.» The 2011 Women's College World Series will be held at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City for the 14th straight season and the 20th time overall. The Huskers have made seven trips to the World Series, with the last appearance coming in

10 2011 NEBRASKA SEASON OUTLOOK When Rhonda Revelle walks to her office at Bowlin Stadium each morning, the 19thyear head coach is reminded each and every day that something big is happening with the Husker softball program. Just outside Revelle s office, construction is underway on Nebraska s new $4.75 million indoor practice facility. As the facility continues to take shape, Revelle says it s satisfying to know that years of planning have paid off and something big has come from all of the preparation and hard work. It s because of that thinking that Revelle can t help but draw a parallel between the completion of the practice facility and the completion of a rebuilding project her program has undertaken over the past few seasons in an effort to return to national prominence. In my mind, this project has kind of become a real-life metaphor for our season that we can look at every day and learn lessons from, Revelle said. You can draw so many comparisons between what went into getting this facility built and what has gone into getting this program back to where we want it to be. One of the most challenging things for a coach is to get players to trust and believe in the process. Sometimes players need proof that the process is working before they will fully buy into it. It took a lot of trust and belief to get this facility built, but now we have a daily reminder that our trust has been rewarded. We re hoping the team will see that same significance and that they will be further empowered to work hard each and every day. Our entire staff believes in the process we have laid out to get this program back among the nation s elite. Our goal this season is to return to the top 25, and with the talent we have, we fully expect to be back among the best in the nation when the season is over. The first regular top-25 softball poll began in 1995 and the Huskers earned a spot in the final poll in every season from 1995 to 2006, including seven top-15 finishes and two top- 10 rankings. Over the past four seasons however, Nebraska has been unranked, despite qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in three of those years. With Division I softball more competitive and balanced than ever before, a team needs talent and hard work to rise above the rest. Revelle believes the 2011 Huskers have both. I honestly believe this is a very talented team, Revelle said. We return almost all of our starters from last season, including four players who were either all-conference or all-region performers. We ve also added some talented new players, including two junior college All-Americans and one high school All-American. Not only do we feel we have talent, but we have experience as well. Nebraska returns eight of its nine position starters and although junior right-hander Ashley Hagemann is the only returning pitcher, she logged the most innings of any Husker pitcher last year. Seniors Julie Brechtel and Heidi Foland, juniors Ashley Guile and Nikki Haget and sophomore Brooke Thomason are all back after putting up impressive numbers as Nebraska s Nos. 1-5 hitters in Guile and Thomason were both all-conference and all-district performers, while Haget was a second-team All-Big 12 selection and Brechtel was a second-team all-region pick. Together, the five players combined to bat.328 last season with 53 doubles, 34 home runs, 157 RBIs and 159 runs scored. Several underclassmen are expected to contribute in larger roles this season after gaining valuable experience last year. Freshman Taylor Edwards is also expected to add production to the lineup. Projected to be Nebraska s starting catcher, Edwards was a three-time Under Armour All-American at Vista Murrieta High School, while also being named the nation s top junior by EA Sports in She batted.520 in her prep career with 38 home runs and 135 RBIs. In the circle, Hagemann returns after a strong finish to last season. Although Hagemann was just with a 3.32 ERA a year ago, she showed flashes of dominance in her first year as a regular contributor. Hagemann was dominant down the stretch, including in the NCAA Tournament where she posted a 0.67 ERA and allowed only nine hits and two earned runs in 21.0 innings. Nebraska also welcomes a talented new pitcher to the fold in 2011 in junior right-hander Haley Workman. Workman was a two-time All-American at Chattanooga State Community College the past two seasons, compiling a 57-8 record with a 1.16 ERA and 603 strikeouts in innings. Revelle feels the talent is in place for Nebraska to make a big splash on the national scene in 2011, but she is even more encouraged by the hard work and dedication her team has shown. As proof of their dedication, Revelle points to the classroom where Nebraska returns four academic all-district selections, the highest total in school history. This group of players has the talent, the character and the dedication to accomplish big things this season, Revelle said. They believe in what we re doing and are determined to put Nebraska softball back on the map in THE PITCHING STAFF Nebraska s 2011 pitching staff features plenty of promise and potential, despite losing two of its top three hurlers from last season. Junior right-hander Ashley Hagemann returns to anchor the staff after a terrific finish to her sophomore campaign, while a pair of talented newcomers enter the mix in junior Haley Workman and freshman Tatum Edwards. Hagemann saw her first extensive action as a sophomore last season, showing flashes of dominance while working toward consistency. She led Nebraska in wins and innings pitched in 2010, compiling a record and a 3.32 ERA in innings. Hagemann averaged more than one strikeout per inning, fanning 227 batters while holding opposing hitters to a.226 average. She ranked fourth in the Big 12 in strikeouts and also ranked among the top five league pitchers in innings pitched, appearances, saves and complete games. Hagemann gained experience and confidence throughout last season, setting the stage for a promising end to her year. She started Nebraska s final six games of 2010, with all six starts coming against NCAA Tournament teams, including five matchups against ranked teams. In those final six games, Hagemann posted a 2.08 ERA in 37.0 innings, allowing only 23 hits and striking out 39. In throwing every inning during the NCAA Tournament, the Huskers hope Hagemann set the stage for what can be expected from her this spring. Despite a 1-2 record, Hagemann posted a 0.67 ERA in the NCAA Tournament, allowing only two earned runs and nine hits in 21.0 innings. Newcomers Workman and Edwards will join Hagemann in the Huskers rotation in their first year at the Division I level. Both pitchers experienced success before signing with Nebraska, as Workman was a two-time junior college All-American at Chattanooga State and Edwards was a four-time all-state selection and the 2007 California Freshman of the Year at Vista Murrieta High School. Workman was a second-team junior college All-American in 2009 for Chattanooga State and a first-team selection in In two seasons with the Tigers, Workman posted a 57-8 record with a 1.16 ERA. A dominant right-hander, she struck out 603 batters in only innings - an average of more than 1.5 strikeouts per inning - while allowing an average of less than four hits per game. She faced her first Division I opponent at 2010 NCAA Tournament qualifier Creighton during the fall season, picking up the win by allowing two runs on three hits in a 6.0-inning, seven-strikeout performance. Edwards has shown the ability to be a dominant pitcher at the high school level, and she fared well during the Huskers fall season. She owned a career record in high school, with a 1.02 ERA in innings. Edwards added 608 career strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a batting average under.160. In her only appearance against a Division I opponent last fall, Edwards was brilliant in a start at Creighton. Against the Bluejays, Edwards earned the win by throwing 4.0 shutout innings without allowing a hit, while striking out eight. Edwards is also expected to work at first base and in the outfield. THE CATCHERS Despite not losing a single catcher from last year s roster, there will be a new face behind the plate for Nebraska in Talented freshman Taylor Edwards will be the Huskers starting catcher on opening day and is expected to catch the majority of games for NU this season. Junior Kirby Wright is Nebraska's experienced catcher, as she has started 23 games at catcher the past two seasons. Junior Ashley Guile, who has started 64 games behind the plate in her career, and sophomore Megan Southworth, who began last season as Nebraska s No. 3 catcher, have both switched positions and are competing for starting spots, allowing the Huskers to get their nine best players in the batting order. Edwards is expected to be the first Husker freshman to hold down the starting catching spot in a decade (Amber Burgess in 2000). Edwards comes to Nebraska as one of the most decorated recruits in Husker history. A three-time Under Armour All-American and the 2009 EA Sports National Junior of the Year, Edwards was a four-time all-state selection at Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, Calif. In a stellar prep career, Edwards hit.520 with 38 home runs - tying the Inland-area record - while posting a.977 slugging percentage and a.610 on-base percentage. She was also one of the most feared hitters in California, averaging one walk every three plate appearances as a senior. Behind Edwards is Wright, a capable backup who is serving in a familiar role for the third straight season. Wright worked behind All-Big 12 catcher Amanda Duran as a freshman in 2009, then worked behind Guile, another All-Big 12 selection, as a sophomore last season. Wright, who has also earned playing time as Nebraska s designated player, has committed only two career errors behind the plate while batting.224 last season with two doubles, one home run and eight RBIs in 67 at bats. 10