Huskers Add Three in Early Signing Period

A pair of talented in-state players and the Huskers’ second-ever recruit from the state of New York signed National Letters-of-Intent to play softball at Nebraska next season, head coach Rhonda Revelle announced on Wednesday, Nov. 14.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

High school teammates Ashley Hagemann and Nikki Haget will remain teammates at <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska next season after leading ElkhornHigh School to the past four consecutive Nebraska Class B state championships. The lone out-of-state signee is Kirby Wright, a catcher from Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.

 

With no seniors on the 2008 Husker softball team, the trio of recruits will have to earn their playing time next season. Each has the opportunity to fill a different role as Hagemann is a pitcher who can also hit, while Haget could see time on the infield or the outfield and Wright is a catcher.

 

All three have been recognized as an all-state player, while each is also a proven winner on the prep level. Elkhorn went 30-1 last season and Wright led HendrickHudsonHigh School to the best finish in school history with a 27-2 record and a trip to the state semifinals.

 

The talent and winning attitude of the group has Revelle excited about the future and optimistic about the newcomers’ impact on the Huskers’ 2009 fortunes.

 

“We are adding a great group of student-athletes to our Nebraska softball family,” Revelle said. “They are all motivated and driven to be Huskers and have a long standing affection for the Big Red. We are sure that when they put on the scarlet and cream for the first time, it will illicit some pretty awesome emotions.”

 

Nebraska’s 2007-08 Signing Class

Player                           Position          Hometown (High School)

Ashley Hagemann          RHP               Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn)

Nikki Haget                    INF/OF           Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn)

Kirby Wright                   C                   Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. (Hendrick Hudson)

 

Individual Player Information

Ashley Hagemann, RHP, Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn)

Hagemann is the most decorated member of Nebraska’s signing class. She was a three-time first team All-Nebraska selection from the Omaha World-Herald and served as the honorary captain in 2006 and 2007. Hagemann also earned three consecutive nods on the Lincoln Journal Star’s Super State team, garnering second-team honors as a sophomore in 2005, before earning first-team accolades in 2006 and 2007, getting the nod as honorary captain as a senior.

 

A four-time state champion, Hagemann helped lead Elkhorn High School to a Class B state record 30-1 record in her senior campaign this fall. In the circle, Hagemann went 25-1 with a 0.38 ERA and 346 strikeouts in 163.2 innings. Her ERA was the lowest in the state, while her 25 wins and 346 strikeouts both led Class B and ranked second in the state, according to reported statistics from the Omaha World-Herald.

 

At the plate, Hagemann was just as dominant, finishing with a .536 average (37-for-69), 10 doubles, six home runs and 37 RBIs. According to the World-Herald’s statistics, Hagemann’s average ranked second in Class B only to her teammate and fellow recruit Nikki Haget, while Hagemann led Class B in home runs and also ranked second in RBIs.

 

In her career, Hagemann set the Class B state record with 1,088 career strikeouts and also set the Class B record by striking out 20 in a seven-inning game as a senior. She also produced a state-record 50 RBIs as a junior in 2006.

 

A three-sport standout at Elkhorn (softball, basketball, track and field), Hagemann chose Nebraska over Creighton, Texas and OregonState.

 

Coach Revelle on Ashley

“There is no limit to what Ashley can achieve on the mound and at the plate during her tenure as a Husker. She is a tough competitor who has been blessed with great athleticism. A true leader in the circle, Ashley rallies her team to play spirited and aggressive softball.”

 

Nikki Haget, INF/OF, Omaha, Neb. (Elkhorn)

As a four-year teammate of Hagemann, Haget also played a pivotal role in leading Elkhorn to four consecutive state championships. Haget was named a two-time first-team All-Nebraska selection from the Omaha World-Herald and also earned first-team SuperState honors in her final two seasons from the Lincoln Journal Star.

 

As a senior in 2007, Haget led Class B and ranked second in the state with a whopping .550 average (55-for-100), according to reported statistics from the World-Herald. Her 55 hits also led Class B and ranked second in the state, while Haget also scored a Class B high 43 runs. She also added five doubles and three triples for the Antlers.

 

Known for her speed, Haget was one of the toughest outs in the state, while also playing a solid second base. Haget was also known for her work in the classroom, as she carries a 4.0 grade-point average. A talented student and athlete, Haget chose Nebraska after also considering Iowa, Iowa State, Texas A&M and Creighton.

 

Coach Revelle on Nikki

“Nikki is an outstanding athlete who possesses speed, softball instincts and intelligence and a tremendous knack for being a ?playmaker.’ We are extremely fortunate to have her at Nebraska and are excited to watch her grow and flourish as a Husker.”

 

Kirby Wright, C, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. (Hendrick Hudson)

Wright is not only just the second Husker recruit from New York in the history of the program, but she is the first in the NCAA era, dating back to 1982. The only other Husker to hail from New York was Alison Bodley, who lettered in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

 

Wright, who will complete her prep career at Hendrick Hudson High School this spring, is one of the top catchers in New York, as she earned third-team Class A all-state honors from the New York Sportswriters Association in 2006, while earning a first-team selection to The Journal News All-Star Softball Team.

 

As a junior last season, Wright hit cleanup for Hendrick Hudson, batting .436 (41-for-94) with 12 doubles, two home runs, 38 RBIs and 23 runs scored in only 28 games. Her 38 RBIs were the third most in the area, while her play helped the Sailors win their first Class A section title and advance to the state semifinals, while finishing with a 27-2 record.

 

Wright enjoyed a particularly stellar day in a doubleheader against Ossining on April 26 last season. Wright went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBIs in game one, before going 5-for-5 with three doubles and six RBIs in game two.

 

A proven run producer, Wright drove in two or more runs in seven of her first 15 contests last season. Wright also recorded 11 multi-hit games to go along with a total of eight multi-RBI efforts.

 

Wright chose Nebraska over Syracuse and Pittsburgh.

 

Coach Revelle on Kirby

“Kirby is an outstanding athlete that makes all the players around her better. She is skilled and diligent in her pursuit of excellence. She has a fire for the Huskers, and we know that her light will shine brightly, because she has dreamed of playing for the Huskers since she was young. Her parents are both native Nebraskans and the Big Red is in her blood.“