Whitney Barrett Q&A

Whitney Barrett is a freshman infielder from Wetumpka, Ala. Nebraska has never had a letterwinner from the state of Alabama, but Barrett looks to change that this season as she is competing for the starting second base job.

 

As a senior at Wetumpka High, Barrett was a Class 5A all-state selection after hitting .475 with 56 runs, 35 RBIs, 15 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 41 stolen bases, a .494 on-base percentage and a .673 slugging percentage.

 

One of three freshmen on the 2007 roster, Barrett is ready to make an immediate impact for the Big Red. Below is a question-and-answer session with Whitney.

 

How have you enjoyed your time at Nebraska so far and how are practices going for you?

"My time at Nebraska has been great so far.  My teammates and coaching staff along with everyone else has made my home away from home a wonderful experience.  So far, practice has been a learning experience.  Coming from a small town and a team I played with for so long, learning new things has made it a challenge.  Once I had the hang of everything and got some advice from my team, I am ready to start playing."

 

How excited are you for the upcoming season and is there any trip that you are really looking forward to?

"The upcoming season is going to be great.  I have not traveled to many places in my life, and I think that each place I go to is going to be a good experience.  I am looking forward to the trip to Hawaii of course, who isn’t?  I never dreamed I would go and play in Hawaii so I think it is going to be fun.  I am also looking forward to playing in Columbus, Ga., because a lot of my family and friends are going to be able to watch me play."

 

What are your personal expectations and goals for the upcoming season?

"Personally, my overall goal is to be freshman of the year.  I have the potential and the drive to achieve this goal, I just have to show it on and off the field."

 

You had an injury that limited you during the fall season. How did that affect your preparation for this season?  

"With my injury, I think the biggest thing is it affecting my experience in a live game.  I got to play defense, but I could not hit at all.  Overall, I think that not being able to hit could affect my play in the early spring, until I get used to Division I pitching."

 

How do you see your role on the team this season?

"I see my role on this team to play like I know how to play.  I have the knowledge to play the game, and I think that I can help my team in many different ways - whether it is with the bat, on defense, or running the bases."

 

Without having played a regular-season game yet, what would you say has been your toughest adjustment to competing at the Division I level? 

"The toughest thing so far would be learning the new plays and situations.  In high school ball, players are not as smart throughout the team as they are in college.  They have a lot more sense of the game and know more possibilities than the girls I played against in high school."

 

You’re in line to be the first Husker letterwinner from Alabama. What made you choose Nebraska?

"The overall reason that I chose Nebraska would have to be the coaching staff and players.  I felt like I would be in good hands while I was away from home.  The coaches and the players have made me comfortable with being away from home.  As teammates, we are always there for one another, and that’s what I love about this team - everyone has everyone’s back."

 

As a freshman, how has the adjustment to living away from home and balancing school and softball gone for you thus far?

"In the fall season, it was hard to get used to balancing the school schedule, ball, and being away from home.  I had help from some of the girls, and support from all of the coaches." 

 

What do you think fans can expect to see out of this team this season?

"I think that fans should expect to see good speed on the bases, smart decision on the field, strong bats, and good knowledge of the game."

 

What is the thing you enjoy most about being a Husker?

"I think my favorite thing about being a Husker, is being apart of one big family.  With the girls along with the coaches, I don’t ever feel alone.  I know I could not have made a better decision on coming here to play ball. I am extremely happy with my decision."

 

When you’re not playing softball, what types of things do you enjoy doing?

"Well when I am at home, I enjoy helping my dad around the farm, hunting with my brother, spending all the time I can with my family and just spending time with my friends."