Huskers Add Three to Talented Class

The Nebraska softball team has added three players to its roster for next season, head coach Rhonda Revelle announced on Thursday, June 10. The Huskers will now have five new players joining the program this fall, including a pair of first-team junior college All-Americans and the 2009 EA Sports National Junior of the Year.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

Morgan McCann, an honorable-mention class A all-state selection in her junior and senior seasons at Omaha Burke will be a freshman this fall for the Huskers, while Haley Workman and Saige Wright will be juniors after starring in the junior college ranks for the past two seasons. Workman was a two-time junior college All-America pitcher at Chattanooga (Tenn.) State, while Wright was a 2010 first-team All-America shortstop for Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala.

Revelle feels confident the late additions will make key contributions for a Husker program that has high hopes for a 2011 season that sees the team return of all but one starter from last year’s NCAA Tournament squad.

“We feel that the addition of Haley, Saige and Morgan will provide added strength to every aspect of our program,” Revelle said. “Each of these athletes brings a different skill set to our team, and we anticipate that they will make an immediate and positive impact on our program.”

The three players join twin sisters Tatum and Taylor Edwards from Murrieta, Calif., to complete the new class of recruits. The Edwards twins signed a National Letter of Intent with Nebraska in November of 2009 and will be freshmen this fall. Tatum was named the California State Freshman of the Year in 2007, while Taylor earned the state's top honor as a junior in 2009, when she was also named the nation’s top junior and an EA Sports High School All-American.

Morgan McCann, OF, Omaha, Neb., Burke HS
Morgan McCann was named a Class A Honorable Mention All-State selection by the Lincoln Journal Star in both her junior and senior seasons at Omaha Burke High School. A speedy player, McCann also excelled in the classroom at Burke. McCann played her summer ball for the Omaha Finesse.

Coach Revelle on Morgan
“Morgan is one of the fastest kids we have ever had in camp, and the thing about speed is that it doesn’t go into slumps. Morgan is motivated to be a Husker and will be an asset to our program with her athletic ability, hustle and energetic work ethic.”

Haley Workman, RHP, Easley, S.C., Easley HS/Chattanooga State (Tenn.) CC
Haley Workman was an NJCAA Division I All-American in each of her two seasons at Chattanooga State Community College, earning first-team honors in 2010 and second-team accolades in 2009. Workman won 57 games in the circle for Chattanooga State the past two seasons, helping the Tigers post a 111-23 record.

This past spring, Workman compiled a 27-5 record with a 1.56 ERA en route to earning first-team All-America accolades. She posted 280 strikeouts in 179.0 innings to average 1.6 strikeouts per innings and 10.9 strikeouts per game. Workman also excelled with the bat in her final season at Chattanooga State, after not having an at bat as a freshman. She batted .338 (52-for-154) with 10 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in 2010, while adding 12 stolen bases in only 13 attempts.

As a freshman in 2009, Workman posted a 30-3 record with a 0.82 ERA to earn second-team All-America honors. She struck out 323 batters in only 205.2 innings, an average of 1.6 strikeouts per inning and 11.0 strikeouts per game. Workman’s 323 strikeouts ranked third among all NJCAA Division I pitchers in 2009 and 12th all-time. She also allowed only 106 hits, while walking 88.

In her junior college career, Workman compiled a 57-8 record with a 1.16 ERA. She added 603 strikeouts in only 384.2 innings, while allowing only 216 hits.

Coach Revelle on Haley
“Haley’s numbers speak for themselves as this fierce competitor loves to have the ball in her hand with the game on the line. We expect Haley to take the mound for the Huskers and continue on her winning ways, as she did as a junior college All American.”

Saige Wright, INF, Cottondale, Ala., Tuscaloosa Academy/Wallace State CC
Saige Wright enjoyed a decorated career at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala., the past two seasons, where she helped the Lady Lions finish as the runner-up at both the 2009 and 2010 NJCAA Division I Softball National Championships. Wright helped Wallace State post a 125-19 record over the last two seasons, including a 62-9 record this past spring when Wright earned first-team accolades from the NFCA and third-team All-America honors from the NJCAA.

In 2010, Wright batted .327 (69-for-211) with six doubles, nine triples, one home run and 16 RBIs, while finishing with 20 multi-hit games. She led the Lady Lions with 47 runs scored, nine triples, 17 walks, 96 total bases, 13 sacrifices and 43 stolen bases, as she was thrown out only three times all season. Wright also ranked second among all NJCAA Division I players in triples and was tied for 11th in stolen bases. Her nine triples ranked second in Wallace State history, while her 43 steals ranked third.

As a freshman in 2009, Wright batted .296 (48-for-162) with nine doubles, two triples, one home run and 23 RBIs. Her speed was on display, as she scored 38 runs and stole 22 bases in 24 attempts. Wright also coaxed 24 walks and finished with 11 multi-hit games and four multi-RBI efforts.

In her junior college career, Wright boasted a .314 average (117-for-373) with 15 doubles, 11 triples, two home runs, 39 RBIs, 85 runs scored and 65 stolen bases in only 70 attempts (93 percent). Wright also finished second all-time in the Wallace State record book with 11 career triples.

Coach Revelle on Saige
“Saige is a proven winner, having been on a team that has played for the NJCAA Division I national championship in each of the last two years. We anticipate this junior college All-American to add an immediate spark to our team with her speed and aggressive style of play.”