The Nebraska softball team used a strong defensive performance to defeat No. 15 Fresno State, 1-0, and an impressive offensive game to defeat Mississippi State, 7-5, on the first day of competition Friday at the Arizona State Fiesta Bowl Classic. With the victories, NU opened the season with a 2-0 record, while Fresno State fell to 0-1 and Mississippi State dropped to 2-1.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

Senior left fielder Lisa Wangler led Nebraska at the plate, going  4-for-7 on the day. After going 2-for-4 against Fresno State, Wangler went 2-for-3 with four RBIs against Missisippi State and drove in the winning run in the top of the fourth with a one-out grand slam, the first home run of her career. The Huskers tallied 12 hits against MSU.

Against Fresno State, the Huskers received a solid performance on the mound from junior Peaches James, who tossed a four-hit shutout in her first appearance of the season.