Husker Softball Signs Two

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? Head Coach Rhonda Revelle announced on Wednesday that the Nebraska softball team has added two players who have singed National Letters of Intents to play for the Huskers beginning with the 2008 season.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Heidi Foland, an infielder from Grand Island, Neb., and Kelli Linke, an infielder from Lincoln, will join two returning Nebraska natives on the Husker roster next season.

 

Foland was a 2005 Class A honorable mention all-state selection by the Lincoln Journal Star and earned first-team all-state honors as a utility player in 2006. A three-sport standout at Grand IslandHigh School, Foland hit .420 for the Islanders with a .536 slugging percentage as a senior. She added nine doubles, 16 RBIs, 22 runs scored and 30 stolen bases while striking out just twice in 112 at bats.

 

"Heidi is a great athlete who we are we excited to have be a part of our Nebraska softball team,” Revelle said. “From the first time I saw her make a play on the field, I knew that we wanted her to wear the scarlet and cream."

 

Linke is the sister of former Husker Katie Linke, who started 60 career games from 2003 to 2006. Kelli was named a first-team SuperState selection by the Lincoln Journal Star in 2005, when she hit .437 with 59 hits, 35 runs scored, 37 RBIs and 11 doubles. In her senior season at Northeast, Linke led the city with a .509 average, 11 doubles, seven triples, nine home runs, 37 runs scored and 34 RBIs, while earning her second straight first-team SuperState selection.

 

“Kelli is a very strong athlete, who has a lot of talent for the game of softball,” Revelle said. “We anticipate great days ahead for Kelli with the Nebraska softball team.”  

 

Foland and Linke will have the chance to play as teammates at Bowlin Stadium this summer, as both are set to compete for the Red Team in the third annual Nebraska Coaches Association All-Star game, set for Aug. 1.

 

Also competing for the red squad will be Lincoln native Sammi Liegl, an outfielder who has accepted admission to the University of Nebraska and plans to join the Husker softball program as a walk-on this fall. Liegl hit .448 for Pius X with seven doubles, three triples, two home runs, 16 stolen bases, 23 runs scored and 26 RBIs. Liegl joined Linke as a first-team SuperState selection in 2006.

 

The three newest Huskers will join fellow incoming freshmen Julianne Brechtel, Ashley Guile, Abby Hughes and Tori Tyson, who each signed a Letter of Intent with Nebraska during the fall signing period.