Last week we broke down the top four finishing teams in the SEC: Florida, Auburn, Alabama, and LSU. This week we’re moving to the Big Ten to highlight the top teams from 2015 and look ahead to their 2016 seasons. So far we've covered Michigan and Minnesota and today were looking at the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Cornhusker softball has shown a resurgence over the past several years. A preeminent softball power in the 1980s, Nebraska had fallen off the competitive landscape for much of the last decade. With a Women's College World Series appearance in 2013, a Big Ten Conference Championship in 2014, and its twenty-third regional appearance in 2015, it's safe to say Nebraska is becoming a force to be reckoned with once again.

Last season the Cornhuskers battled national runner-up Michigan in the Big Ten title game and took LSU — the now ranked No. 2 team in the nation — to a 10-inning elimination game in the Baton Rouge Regional. The two earned runs Nebraska allowed LSU were the only earned runs they gave up the entire Regional.

From their competitive 2015 squad, the Huskers lose only two seniors. Catcher Steph Pasquale was the only catcher in the Big Ten to earn first team All-Big Ten honors last season while tying the team for the lead in home run (11) and having the third highest batting average on the team (.379). Nebraska also loses sixth-year senior outfielder Kylee Muir.

Kiki Stokes' rare combination of power and speed will drive much of the Husker offense in 2016. The third team All-American was second on the team in batting average at .407, tied for the team lead in home runs with 11, and lit up the base paths with 18 stolen bases. The senior centerfielder returns for her last season having already broken the school record of runs scored with 66.


Don't let her speed fool you. Senior Kiki Stokes can hit for power too.

Junior third baseman MJ Knighten will also continue to be a primary offensive threat for Nebraska this season. The first team Big Ten third baseman led the Husker offense in batting average (.412), hits (82), and runs batted in (60). Senior pitcher Emily Lockman will also reprise her role in the circle this season. Lockman led the pitching staff last year with a 3.99 ERA and 18 wins.


Third baseman MJ Knighten paced the Husker offense in batting average, hits, and RBIs in 2015.

Nebraska brings in two freshmen for the 2016 season. 2015 FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 80 player Bri Cassidy of the Corona Angles will add depth at the catcher position while former Nebraska Gold player Alyvia Simmons is a strong addition to the outfield.

Be sure to keep an eye on Nebraska Softball in 2016. Expect them to be competitive in the Big Ten and go deep into the post season.