Huskers Picked Fourth in Big 12 Preseason Poll

The Nebraska softball team was picked to finish fourth in the 2010 Big 12 Conference preseason coaches' poll, released on Friday. Defending champion Oklahoma was the preseason pick to win the 2010 Big 12 title, as the Sooners picked up seven of 10 first-place votes and finished with 79 points.

Missouri, which was the Big 12's lone representative in the 2009 Women's College World Series, came in second with three first-place votes and 75 points. Baylor earned 61 points and was picked third, while Nebraska's 49 points edged out Texas, which received 48 points to round out the top five.

The Huskers finished fifth in the Big 12 last season while advancing to an NCAA Regional for the 14th time in the past 15 seasons. Nebraska returns four starters and 12 letterwinners from last year's team and that total doesn't include junior right-hander pitcher Robin Mackin, a 2007 NFCA All-American at Fresno State, who missed nearly all of the 2009 season with an injury.

Nebraska is one of three teams opening the 2010 schedule on Thursday, Feb. 11. The Huskers will play a doubleheader at New Mexico State beginning at 5 p.m. (Central). That game can be heard live on Huskers.com for free. For the first time in program history in 2010, every game will be broadcast on Huskers.com, courtesy of the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network.

2010 Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll

Team (first-place votes)             Points
1. Oklahoma (7)                           79
2. Missouri (3)                             75
3. Baylor                                     61
4. Nebraska                               49
5. Texas                                     48    
6. Texas A&M                             44
7. Oklahoma State                      41    
8. Iowa State                              23
9. Kansas                                  17
10. Texas Tech                          14

**Points were awarded nine for first, eight for second, etc.
(Coaches were not allowed to vote for their teams)