Huskers Set for Home Opening Weekend

The Nebraska softball team is set for its home opener in Lincoln, Neb., against Wichita State and South Dakota State. The Huskers will play four games starting with a 5 p.m. CT match up against Wichita State on Thursday, March 3. This will be the 61st meeting between the two teams. The Huskers currently lead the series, 36-23. 

 

On Friday, the Huskers and the Shockers will face off in a 2:30 p.m. CT game at Bowlin Stadium. 

 

Nebraska will face South Dakota State on Friday following the completion of the NU and WSU game. It is set to start at 5 p.m. This matchup will mark the 21st meeting between the two teams. The Big Red currently leads the series 19-1.

 

The Huskers will finish the weekend on Saturday with a game against the Jackrabbits at 2:30 p.m. 

 

Scouting the Opponents

Wichita State (9-4) is coming off of a 3-1 weekend at the Niner Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Shockers opened the weekend with a win over Northern Iowa before falling to Charlotte. In game three, Wichita State shutout Minnesota, 4-0. The Shockers finished the weekend with a 10-2 win over Charlotte. 

 

As a team, Wichita State is .340 with two hitters batting at least .430 or higher. Sydney McKinney has a team-high .478 average, while Addison Barnard is hitting .432. Caitlin Bingham is expected to be the leader in the circle, who has made six appearances and holds a 3-1 record. 

 

South Dakota State (8-4) was supposed to travel to the UNT Invitational this past weekend, but it was canceled due to inclement weather. The Jackrabbits took on Creighton in a double header on Sunday, Feb. 27, winning both in run-rule fashion. 

 

As a team, South Dakota State holds a .288 batting average. Rozelyn Carrillo leads the SDSU with a .410 batting average. Allison Yoder and Lindsey Culver both add depth to the team with batting averages above .340. In the circle, Tori Kneische leads the Jackrabbits with a 5-1 record. 

 

Follow the Huskers

• In the game against Northern Colorado, Olivia Ferrell made her 100th appearance in the circle. 
• Peyton Glatter has averaged 0.45 doubles per game, ranking No. 3 in the Big Ten Conference. 
• Billie Andrews ranks first in the Big Ten and sixth in the NCAA with seven home runs through 13 games. 
• Sydney Gray ranks second in the Big Ten with six home runs. 
• Notching 19 RBIs, Sydney Gray leads the conference and ranks 14th in the nation. 
• Leading NU, Billie Andrews has totaled four stolen bases this season. 
• Billie Andrews and Sydney Gray have both slugged two home runs in one game twice this season. 
• Against New Mexico State, Camyl Armendariz smashed her first career hit, a home run to help the Huskers to a 14-4 win. 
• Brooke Andrews made her first career start in center field at the Troy Cox Classic.
• Behind the plate, Ava Bredwell made her first career start at the Troy Cox Classic. 
• Mya Felder slugged her 20th career home run in the game against New Mexico State. 
• The Huskers are 5-0 when scoring in the first inning. 
• Abbie Squier notched her first two career home runs at the UNI Dome Tournament.

Huskers in the Ranks 

• The Huskers are currently ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference with a .316 batting average. 
• Averaging 1.62 home runs per game, The Big Red ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference. 
• NU is ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference in runs per game, averaging 6.0. 
• Nebraska holds a .423 on base percentage which ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference.
• NU has dominated in slugging percentage with a .571, ranking No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 16 nationally. 
• The Huskers have tallied 57 walks through 10 games, a number that ranks first in the Big Ten and 24th nationally. 
• As a team, the Big averages 0.46 doubles per game, an average that ranks second in the Big Ten Conference. 
• The Huskers have tallied 18 doubles through 13 games which ranks third in the Big Ten Conference behind Illinois and Michigan who both have hit 24.