1998 Women's College World Series Team

The 1998 Nebraska softball team was the first Husker squad to advance to the Women's College World Series in 10 years and the first WCWS guided by Head Coach Rhonda Revelle.

NU posted a 48-12 regular season that included the best single-season winning percentage in school history, as well as the Big 12 Conference regular-season and tournament titles. In fact, the 1998 Huskers remain the only team to finish the Big 12 slate undefeated, a feat made even more impressive by the fact that fellow league school Texas also advanced to the WCWS.

After sweeping through the NCAA Regional at the Nebraska Softball Complex, the Huskers met powerful Fresno State in the opening round of the tournament. FSU pounded out 13 hits against first-team All-American pitcher Jenny Voss on its way to a resounding 6-1 victory.

Nebraska quickly recovered, however, by defeating Texas for the fourth time that season. The Huskers took a 2-1 victory over the Longhorns, after defeating UT by scores of 2-0 and 4-0 in the regular-season series and 1-0 at the Big 12 Tournament, which was also played at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla.

With a 1-1 record at the series, the Huskers' hopes of advancing were thwarted by Washington, who ended Nebraska's season with a 3-1 victory.

The 1998 squad, which boasted a pair of first-team All-Americans, as well as a second team All-American featured perhaps the best hitting lineup in school history. As potent as the offense was, it was diminished somewhat as Jennifer Lizama, who was a three-time All-American in 1997, 1999 and 2000, was hampered for most of the season with a shoulder injury.

Below is a quick look at the accomplishments of the 1998 squad, along with the team's NCAA Tournament results.

  • Finished with a 48-12 overall record
  • Posted a school-record .800 winning percentage
  • Won the Big 12 Conference regular-season and tournament titles
  • Only team in Big 12 history to finish league play undefeated (16-0)
  • Featured two first-team All-America selections and one second-team honoree
  • Produced one Academic All-American
  • Set a school record with 62 home runs
  • Earned NU's sixth WCWS berth
  • Finished in a tie for fifth place
NCAA Regional (Lincoln, Neb.)    
Opponent Result Score
Coastal Carolina Win 7-0
Iowa Win 1-0
Oregon Win 9-7

 

WCWS (Oklahoma City, Okla.)    
Opponent Result Score
Fresno State Loss 1-6
Texas Win 2-1
Washington Loss 1-3