Huskers Eager for 2019 Season

Nebraska has been one of the nation's most successful programs over the past six seasons. The Huskers have posted three top-20 national finishes and two top-10 finishes in the last six years, while winning two NCAA Regional titles and advancing to the 2013 Women's College World Series. Nebraska also claimed its first Big Ten title in 2014 after just its third season in the new conference. In 2019, the Huskers look to make another run for the conference title and return to the NCAA Tournament.

The 2019 Huskers are a young team with just eight upperclassmen. Despite losing six seniors to graduation, the Huskers return their top two hitters from 2018, including senior Alyvia Simmons and junior Tristen Edwards. A first-team All-Big Ten pick, Edwards led the team in batting average (.356), homers (12), RBIs (43) and slugging (.350). Edwards was one of 18 players to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors last season and one of nine unanimous picks. Additionally, Edwards was the first Husker to earn the award since All-Americans MJ Knighten and Kiki Stokes in 2016. A two-time all-conference and all-midwest region pick, Simmons ranked second on the team in batting average (.346) in 2018 and led the team in doubles (12) and triples (4).

Joining Simmons in the senior class is catcher Bri Cassidy, infielder Madi Unzicker and right-handed pitcher Regan Mergele. Cassidy is expected to start behind the plate for the Huskers this season after starting 48 games at the position last season. Unzicker started at first base every game last season, despite never playing the position. She is expected to play that position again in 2019. Mergele is one of two Husker pitchers with collegiate experience and will look to take on a bigger role this season after making six starts last season.

For the second straight year, the juniors consist of only three returners and one transfer. Along with Edwards, Bree Boruff, Lexey Kneib and Samantha Owen make up the junior class. Kneib replaced All-American MJ Knighten at third base last season, making 38 starts at the position. She's expected to compete for a starting spot again this season in the infield. Boruff made six starts last season as the designated player, but will look to make her way into the starting lineup as an outfielder, as the Huskers need to replace two outfield starters from last season. Owen comes to Nebraska after spending two season at Pacific. The two-time All-WCC honoree and NFCA All-West Region pick hopes to make an immediate impact for the Husker offense. Owen led the Tigers with 53 hits last season, hitting .353 and slugging .600.

Nebraska's sophomores may be young, but the group of four made big strides last season. The sophomore class consists of Olivia Ferrell, Ally Riley, Rylie Unzicker and Sarah Yocom, who all saw significant action as freshmen.

Ferrell returns as NU's most experienced pitcher and the only pitcher on the roster to have significant starting experience. Ferrell started 20 games last season and made 31 total appearances. She pitched three complete games and also had two saves. She finished with a 9-8 record and a 4.35 ERA. Ferrell also did well at the plate when called upon to do so. She went 7-for-21 (.333) last season, with two doubles and four RBIs.

Riley provided a spark on offense for the Huskers. A catcher, Riley started 13 games as the designated player and ranked fourth on the team with a .317 batting average. She had 20 hits with four doubles and 14 RBIs. She's expected to continue to help the Husker offense this season as well.

Unzicker started 11 games last season, mostly in the outfield. She'll make a push to become a regular starter this season, as Nebraska is looking to replace two starters from last season in the outfield.

Yocom played in 24 games last season, including starting seven at third base. She'll look to compete for a spot in the infield this season.

As Nebraska's largest class, the freshmen will have to step up right away this season. They will have chances to make immediate contributions, much like the 2013 class that helped the Huskers to the Women's College World Series. However, despite being young, the group has a lot of experience. Redshirt freshman Payton Huscroft spent all of last season with the team, but didn't play due to an injury. She'll look to get right to work this season and contribute on offense and in the infield.

The rest of the group consists of four Nebraskans in Carson Fischer, Peyton Glatter, Karlee Seevers and Courtney Wallace, two California natives in Anni Raley and Lindsey Walljasper and Washington native Mikaela Forcum. Several hold state and school prep records and claimed state titles in high school.

Additionally, three newcomers (Fischer, Glatter and Wallace) earned NFCA Regional All-America honors, while right-handed pitcher/utility player Wallace was named an NFCA third-team high school All-American, a PGF Regional All-American and Nebraska's Gatorade Softball Player of the Year.