Edwards Twins Cap Career With All-America Honors

Senior twins Tatum and Taylor Edwards each earned All-America honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Wednesday. Taylor was named a first-team All-America catcher, while Tatum was a third-team pitcher/utility selection.

Tatum and Taylor were named All-Americans for the second time in their careers, becoming the seventh and eighth multiple All-Americans in school history and the first since three-time honoree Jennifer Lizama (1997, 1999 and 2000). Tatum was named an All-American for the second straight year, after earning second-team accolades in 2013. She joined Associate Head Coach Lori Sippel as the only Husker pitchers to be chosen as a multi-time All-American. Taylor, a 2011 third-team All-American, became only the sixth Husker to be named a first-team All-American, joining Denise Day (1985), Lori Richins (1986), Ali Viola (1996 and 1998), Jenny Voss (1998) and Jennifer Lizama (1999).

“Nebraska softball could not be more proud of Taylor and Tatum Edwards,” Head Coach Rhonda Revelle said. “They made an unbelievable contribution to the success of our program, and it is wonderful that their efforts have been recognized at the highest level of our sport as they earned NFCA All -America status.”

In becoming the first Husker to earn back-to-back All-America honors since 1999-2000, Tatum put together an impressive senior season. One of the nation’s top dual threats, Tatum excelled in the circle and at the plate. In the circle, she posted a 24-13 record with a 1.78 ERA, posting the eighth-highest win total in school history. Tatum added 218 strikeouts in 240.0 innings, while picking up four saves – the seventh-highest total in program history – and tossing nine shutouts, including a pair of no-hitters. At the plate, Tatum batted .294 with 10 doubles, 14 homers and 52 RBIs, becoming the seventh Husker to produce a 50-RBI season. Only the second player in school history to produce double-digit home runs and doubles in back-to-back seasons, Tatum posted the eighth-highest home run total in school history in 2014 and the ninth-best RBI total.

“It is an incredible feeling to be named alongside the best in softball,” Tatum said of her second straight All-America award. “Having the coaches be by my side this whole entire way has meant so much to me. It’s an honor to have played in the Nebraska jersey and to be named an All-American for the second time. I’m just so thankful for everyone who’s been involved.”

Tatum’s strong senior season not only earned her a second straight All-America accolade, it also cemented her place as the top dual-threat player in school history. Tatum ended her career ranked in Nebraska’s all-time top 10 in home runs (4th, 46), RBIs (5th, 158), total bases (6th, 367), slugging percentage (6th, .566), doubles (8th, 38), runs scored (8th, 135) and walks (8th, 87). In the circle, Tatum ranked sixth in career no-hitters (2), seventh in victories (70), shutouts (24) and complete games (69) and eighth in innings (623.1), strikeouts (551) and career winning percentage (.714).

“Tatum is the first two time All-America pitcher at Nebraska since her Pitching Coach Lori Sippel, earned that distinction,” Revelle said. “That is an honor our entire program is excited about, and I know Lori is very honored to ‘share’ the All-America pitching wall with Tatum. Tatum is an outstanding athlete and a force to be reckoned with whether she is pitching, hitting, or running the bases.  She made her mark on Nebraska softball and is very deserving of this award.”

While Tatum was one of the nation’s top dual threats, Taylor was one of the country’s best catchers. The only All-America catcher in school history, Taylor put up outstanding numbers as a senior to become the first Husker to earn first-team All-America accolades since 1999. Taylor hit .346 in 2014 with 18 homers, eight doubles, 43 RBIs and a school-record 41 walks. She tied her career high in home runs, while setting new career bests with 127 total bases and a .492 on-base percentage. The Big Ten home run leader, Taylor posted the second-highest single-season home run total in school history this spring. Taylor also ranked second on the Nebraska season charts in hit-by-pitches (13), third in runs (58), sixth in total bases and eighth in slugging percentage (.676).

“I am excited and honored to be an All-American,” Taylor said of her recognition as the nation’s top catcher. “It feels great to have worn ‘Nebraska’ on my chest. I want to thank everyone in the Nebraska family who has help me and all of my teammates. I wouldn’t be the person or player I am today without them.”

Taylor ended her Husker career with 17 school records, including Nebraska career records for home runs (54), walks (150), hit-by-pitches (39) and grand slams (4). In addition to her career records, Taylor ranked second all-time at Nebraska in RBIs (202), third in runs (177) and total bases (423), fourth in slugging percentage (.629), fifth in doubles (41), sixth in hits (220) and eighth in games played (233). Taylor is one of only two players in school history to produce 40 career home runs and 40 career doubles and one of only two Huskers to total 150 career hits, walks and RBIs.

“I believe the All-America committee saw in Taylor what we believe about Taylor—that she was the best catcher in the nation in 2014,” Revelle said. “Taylor gunned down the game’s best base stealers, caught an All-American and an all-region pitcher and broke the Nebraska softball career home run record.  She not only had a tremendous senior season, but a distinguished career at Nebraska.  We are thrilled for her in receiving this honor.”