Huskers Excited For Fall Season

The Nebraska softball team opened fall practice on Monday in preparation for an eight-game exhibition schedule at Bowlin Stadium that begins on Wednesday, Sept. 23.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The Huskers will see their first game action  when they host UNK for a doubleheader scrimmage at Bowlin Stadium beginning at 6 p.m. NU will hit the diamond again two days later for another doubleheader scrimmage with Wayne State at 6 p.m. The Huskers close the fall season with the annual Big Red Fall Classic on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4.

 

Fans are invited to attend all of Nebraska's fall softball games for free. The pair of doubleheaders next week gives fans an opportunity to get their first glimpse at what promises to be a new-look Husker squad. Nebraska lost seven seniors from last year's team - the largest senior class in program history - and each of those seven seniors started at least 34 games in 2009.

 

Through the first two practices of fall camp, there has already been a lot of competition for playing time, according to Head Coach Rhonda Revelle.

 

“I’ve been impressed with our freshman class so far. They’re pushing people and creating a lot of competition, which is a good thing,” Revelle said. “Overall, I saw improvement through our first two practices. There is definitely a lot of athleticism out on the field. Our biggest challenge right now is working people at positions that they’re not that familiar with.”

 

One of the most unfamiliar areas comes in the outfield, where the Huskers graduated all three starters from a year ago, including two All-Big 12 performers. Revelle said that during the fall season, fans may see as many as six-to-eight outfielders during games.

 

Only two current Huskers have ever seen action in the outfield during their Nebraska careers - senior Alex Hupp and junior Crystal Gonzalez. The duo have combined to see time in the outfield in 65 career games, but only 11 over the past two seasons. Gonzalez missed half of the 2007 season, the entire 2008 campaign and all but four games of the 2009 season due to three knee injuries which all required season-ending surgery. Her availability in the fall could be limited. Hupp meanwhile will also work in the circle in addition to working into the outfield rotation.

 

Like Hupp, junior Tori Tyson will also work in the outfield in addition to her pitching duties. Sophomore Nikki Haget will look to utilize her speed in the outfield after working on the infield during the 2009 season, while classmate Madison Drake is the only Husker who worked in the outfield for all of 2009.

 

Freshmen Brooke Thomason is also a candidate to earn playing time in the outfield, as is freshman Megan Southworth, who will also work into the Huskers’ three-catcher rotation.

 

On the infield, even though the Huskers return four players with starting experience, competition is still fierce. On the right side, freshman Kylie Muir is expected to be NU’s first baseman, while junior Julie Brechtel returns as the Huskers’ starting second baseman.

 

The entire left side of the infield returns and welcomes two new players. Senior Whitney Barrett has been the Huskers’ starting shortstop for the past two seasons, while junior Heidi Foland and sophomore Jamie Gay split time at third last season. Foland is working at both third and short this fall, while Gay may be limited in the fall by a minor injury. Freshman Gabby Banda has worked at both short and third this fall, as well as second base, while freshman Keela Scott is working into the rotation at third.

 

Behind the plate, Southworth and sophomores Ashley Guile and Kirby Wright will compete for playing time. Guile was Nebraska’s starting catcher for the second half of the 2008 season before redshirting last year. Wright earned three starts behind the plate as a freshman last season.

 

In the circle, Nebraska lost 2009 ace Molly Hill, but the Huskers return a solid staff. Junior Robin Mackin, a 2007 All-American at Fresno State, will pitch some this fall after being awarded a medical hardship during the 2009 season, her first at Nebraska. Sophomore Ashley Hagemann returns after a solid freshman season when she emerged as the Huskers’ No. 2 pitcher. Hupp and Tyson also return to the circle after posting career-best numbers last season.

 

“I feel good about our pitching,” Revelle said. “I also feel good about what we can do offensively. We’re just excited to get out there and start playing games and see where we’re at.”