Edwards Named Finalist for Player of the Year

Husker softball recruit Taylor Edwards is one of six finalists for the Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Softball Player-of-the-Year award. Edwards recently completed her final season for Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, Calif., and will be a freshman at Nebraska this fall.

Edwards was Cal-Hi Sports’ selection as the 2009 California Junior of the Year, and she was also honored as the nation’s top junior last season by EA Sports. This season, Edwards’ ability with the bat made her one of the most feared hitters in California. She finished with a .452 batting average, nine home runs and 28 RBIs. Her batting average and RBI total were the lowest of her high school career, as teams elected to pitch around Edwards.

The respect opponents had for her abilities was on display over the final 10 games of her season, including three playoff games. During that stretch, Edwards walked 18 times and was hit by two pitches in only 41 plate appearances. When she wasn’t being pitched around, Edwards went 12-for-21. On the season, Edwards drew 29 walks and was hit by five pitches to post a .620 on-base percentage. She averaged a free pass every three plate appearances and walked in 13 straight trips to the plate at one point.

Edwards has already had a decorated prep career. In addition to being the state and national junior of the year in 2009, Edwards was a 2009 EA Sports first-team All-American and a two-time selection to participate in the Under Armour All-America Softball game. She also earned a prestigious invitation to try out for the U.S. Junior Women’s National Team this spring.

Taylor will be joined this fall by her twin sister Tatum, who also enjoyed a stellar prep career. Tatum was the 2007 California Freshman of the Year and finished her senior season with a .511 batting average with six doubles, eight home runs and 30 RBIs. She also went 11-3 in the circle with a 0.67 ERA and 132 strikeouts in only 83.0 innings.