Nebraska Softball Begins Practice Monday - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site

The Nebraska softball team will open preparations for the 2003 season Monday, Jan. 13, when it holds its first practice of the year. The Huskers, who finished the 2002 season with a 50-14 record and a No. 6 final ranking in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll, will start their work out at 2 p.m. at Schulte Field House, then move to the Cook Pavilion for the second half of the workout.

Nebraska will practice for four weeks before officially opening the 2003 season on Friday, Feb. 7 against Fresno State at the ASU/Fiesta Bowl Classic in Phoenix, Ariz. the Huskers first home game is March 18 against UMKC at Bowlin Stadium. The Huskers will play at least 18 games against 15 teams that earned a 2002 NCAA Tournament bid, including three of last year's eight No. 1 seeds in UCLA, Cal State Fullerton and Texas. The Huskers will also play at least four regular-season contests against teams that advanced to the 2002 NCAA Women's College World Series, including games against No. 1 California, No. 5 UCLA and No. 8 Oklahoma (twice).

The Huskers will enter preparations for their 2003 slate with the confidence gained from one of the most successful seasons in school history last year. In 2002, NU recorded 50 wins, the third-highest total in program history and broke the school record for consecutive wins with 23 straight. Nebraska capped its season by earning the school