Huskers Ready for Challenge at TaxAct Clearwater Invitational

The Nebraska softball team (4-1) is set to face four top-eight teams and one that is receiving votes at the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational this weekend, Feb. 16-19. After opening the season 4-1, the Huskers are receiving votes in both the USA Today/NFCA D1 Top 25 and the ESPN/Team USA Coaches Polls. 
 

The Big Red will open with No. 5 Oklahoma State (3-1) on Thursday, Feb. 16. The game is set to begin at 3 p.m. (CT). Following game one, NU will take on No. 2 UCLA (7-0) at approximately 6 p.m. (CT). Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required).
 

On Friday, the Big Red will take on No. 8 Virginia Tech (5-0) with first pitch at 3 p.m. (CT). The matchup will be broadcasted live on the ACC Network. 
 

The Huskers will face Texas A&M, who is receiving votes, on Saturday, Feb. 17. NU will face off with the Aggies (6-0) at 12:30 p.m. (CT), and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. 
 

Nebraska will close out the weekend on Sunday, taking on No. 4 Arkansas (5-0) at 8:30 a.m. (CT). The game will broadcasted live on the SEC Network. 
 

Fans can listen to all five games live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the call from Nate Rohr. 

Nebraska by the Numbers

• The Huskers have a 0.22 ERA after the first weekend of play. The team's ERA ranks first in the Big Ten and sixth in the nation. 
• Billie Andrews leads the Big Ten Conference with two homers this season and is ranked 21st in the NCAA.
• Courtney Wallace is ranked first in ERA (0.00), shutouts (3) and victories (3). Wallace is the lone pitcher in the NCAA who tallied three shutouts in the first weekend. 
• Wallace leads the nation is consecutive scoreless innings with 19.0. 
• Nebraska returns 11 players from a 2022 squad that claimed the Big Ten Tournament title and reached the NCAA Tournament. 
• The Huskers 2023 team features seven newcomers including six freshmen and one transfer. 

Opponents by the Numbers 

• Four of the five teams NU will face this weekend have ERAs ranked in the top eight in the NCAA including Texas A&M (0.21, fourth), UCLA (0.21, fourth), Virginia Tech (0.23, seventh) and Arkansas (0.24, eighth). 

Husker Quick Hits

• This weekend NU will face four top-10 teams. The last time time Nebraska beat a top-10 team was in 2018 when the Huskers defeated No. 6 Texas A&M, 6-3. 
• After Billie Andrews two home runs last weekend, she now is 10th all-time in Nebraska history in career homers. 
• Andrews is one of 12 returning players in the NCAA who hit 20 or more home runs last season. 
• Mya Felder is the only returning Big Ten player who received All-Big Ten, All-Defensive and All-Tournament honors in 2022. 
• Courtney Wallace is one of six returning Rawlings/NFCA Gold Glove recipients from last season.