Edwards Named to Player-of-the-Year Watch List

Sophomore catcher Taylor Edwards was one of 50 players named to the 2012 USA Softball Collegiate Player-of-the-Year watch list, announced on Wednesday. Edwards was one of six players from the Big Ten Conference to make the list and one of only seven sophomores and four catchers.

Edwards gives Nebraska a player on the watch list for the second straight season, after Ashley Guile earned a spot on the list as a junior last season. In 2011, Edwards was one of 25 finalists for the award, the only freshman to make the cut. In an outstanding freshman season, Edwards batted .356 with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs, leading all freshmen nationally in home runs and RBIs. Overall, Edwards ranked seventh nationally in RBIs and 13th in home runs.

A native of Murrieta, Calif., Edwards was honored for her terrific freshman season by earning third-team All-America honors, becoming the first Husker catcher to be named an All-American. She also established an NCAA record by homering in six consecutive games in February, and her 67 RBIs were the most ever by a Big 12 freshman.

Edwards also earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2011. She is one of six returning all-conference performers for the 2012 Huskers, the highest total to begin a season in school history. Edwards and No. 20 Nebraska open their season on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. (Central) against 12th-ranked Washington.