Huskers Host Wisconsin to End Regular Season
Randy York N-Sider
Official Blog of the Huskers
Some say that softball is life with the volume turned up and that certainly describes five Nebraska seniors, who play a loud game and crank it up every time their respected coaches find fresh reasons to multiply motivation.
At Nebraska, that’s softball, that’s life and that’s why Husker fans should show their appreciation for five seniors who can be the catalysts for a season-record attendance milestone against Wisconsin in the Huskers’ final home stand at Bowlin Stadium.
Game Temperatures Are Ideal Invitations for Fans to Set Attendance Record
Friday’s game against Wisconsin is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s game begins at 1 p.m. and Sunday’s first pitch will be at Noon. Now’s the time for Husker Nation to support the only team in the country with wins over two of the top three ranked teams in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Poll, having defeated No. 2-ranked Michigan and No. 3-ranked Oregon.
The Huskers not only will make one final push to improve their postseason positioning before next week’s Big Ten Tournament at Penn State, but also have their eyes set on a goal that will be decided by the Big Red’s loyal fan base.
Nebraska is averaging a school record 997 fans per game this season. That means the Huskers need to draw a total of 3,026 fans this weekend to average 1,000 fans per game for the first time in Nebraska softball program history.
That’s important because Husker softball is the only Nebraska team in action at home on Friday and Sunday and with warm temperatures forecasted all weekend, head coach Rhonda Revelle, her staff and team are hoping fans will be an important part of a record-breaking crowd.
Nebraska Softball's Five Savvy Seniors Have Combined to Start 875 Games
Nebraska's five savvy seniors have combined to start in 875 softball games wearing the scarlet and cream. They include shortstop Alicia Armstrong (Beatrice, Neb.), first baseman Mattie Fowler (Tucson, Ariz.), right-handed pitcher Emily Lockman (Corona, Calif.), centerfielder Kiki Stokes (Olathe, Kan.) and infielder Dawna Tyson (Corona, Calif.)
The Huskers' senior class has combined for 154 wins, two NCAA Regional titles (2013 & 2014), one Big Ten Championship (2014) and one trip to the Women's College World Series (2013).
Each of Nebraska's four senior hiters have been highly productive this season. Four of the Huskers' top five batting averages, in fact, are held by a senior. Stokes is first (.405). Fowler and Tyson each average .333 and Armstrong .306.
As a group, Nebraska seniors have a .349 average while socring 97 runs on 167 hits, including 25 doubles, 18 home runs and 109 RBI. Their combined slugging percentage is .526 and their on-base percentage is .446.
Nebraska Athletics Offering Multiple Promotions for 2016 Season Home Finales
Friday’s 5:30 p.m. game promotion includes free admission for current and former members of the military. Trading cards and posters will be given away while supplies last, and children will be allowed to run the bases after the game.
Saturday’s and Sunday’s games offer free admission with a Military ID. Saturday’s 1 p.m. game offers free Hawaiian shirts and posters while supplies last, plus a giveaway of handheld Nebraska fans to the first 500 inside the stadium. Husker fans also can get autographs from team members following the game, and children can run the bases after the game.
Sunday’s Noon game will honor all five Husker seniors following the game, and hopefully, sometime during the game, there will be a public address announcement that will acknowledge a single-season Nebraska softball attendance record.
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