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1) You return the majority of your lineup from last year, which shattered several school records. What have you seen in practice that would lead you to believe that this year's lineup can match the production of last year's group?
"I think the biggest thing we have seen is their mental and emotional growth. We have been challenging them more than any other group since I have been here. We are doing more live hitting off of our pitchers than we ever have, and I think it is making both our pitchers and our hitters better. We have been focusing on physical adjustments but we are mostly working strategy and mental/emotional adjustments, which is exciting. I am looking forward to watching this offense compete because they feel as prepared as ever!"
2) Some lineups are described as "powerful", "fast" or "patient". How would you describe this year's Husker lineup?
"I think we have a blend. We certainly have power but we have been working to make sure that every hitter knows her role in our lineup. We have those that will hit the ball out of the park, those that will beat some balls out and we have those that will be working gap to gap. The key is for each of them to make sure they know their role as a hitter in our lineup. I want our hitters to be 'aggressively patient.' I want them to ready every pitch but to continue to draw walks, move runners and score runners. It will be important for us to not rely on one part of our lineup or just a couple of players, and I think we have players that have accepted their roles so it should be a productive season for us."
3) One of Husker fans' biggest questions this year is who will be Nebraska's catcher, a position you coach. Can you briefly talk about who will figure into the catching rotation this season and what each player brings to the position?
"Both Madi Unzicker and Bri Cassidy have worked hard to put them in a position to start. They each have their strengths and have things they need to continue to work on. Fans will see both of them on the field to start and maybe the entire year. Right now it is a dead heat at the catching position and until one earns the position outright they will both see playing time. They are having a very healthy competition and are making each other better which means the Huskers win!"