The Nebraska softball team has added a talented transfer to its roster, Head Coach Rhonda Revelle announced on Thursday, July 7. After spending the past two seasons at Arkansas, Courtney Breault will join the Huskers this fall and will be eligible to play immediately.
Breault's decision to transfer to Nebraska potentially fills a void for the 2012 Huskers. Nebraska must replace only two players from the 2011 season, when the Huskers posted a 41-14 record and finished with a No. 21 national ranking. Both players who must be replaced were four-year starters on the infield, and Breault was Arkansas' primary starting second baseman the past two seasons. Breault joins incoming freshman Mattie Fowler as the only new infield additions to the Husker roster this season.
"Courtney has the potential to help us immediately next season," Revelle said. "Not only does she play on the infield, but overall she has the talent and ability to contribute to the team regardless of where she plays."
Breault batted .272 with 14 doubles, nine home runs and 51 RBIs in her two seasons at Arkansas. She hit for power, posting a .429 slugging percentage, as nearly one-third of her hits went for extra bases. Breault also showed good plate awareness, drawing 38 walks in her Razorback career while finishing with more walks (23) than strikeouts (18) in 2011.
As a freshman, Breault earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team and was named the SEC Player of the Week on May 3, 2010. She started 54 of Arkansas' 56 games at second base as a freshman and then an injury forced her to split time between second base and designated player in 2011.
Breault is one of four newcomers to a talented and experienced Husker roster in 2012. Also joining the team are Fowler, freshman outfielder Jordan Bettiol and freshman right-hander Emily Holt. The four newcomers will compete for playing time amongst a group of 13 returning players that includes six returning all-conference selections, the highest returning total in Husker history.