2014 Nebraska Softball Media Guide | Page 14

2014 nebraska season preview Armstrong, Decker and Stokes are three members of Nebraska's talented seven-player sophomore class that figures to benefit from having a season under their belts. Adding to that trio is Dawna Tyson, who started 29 games as a freshman in 2013. In the circle, Emily Lockman returns after earning first-team all-region and second-team All-Big Ten accolades as one of the nation's top freshman pitchers last spring. She posted a 15-6 record with a 1.78 ERA in 2013. "Hailey Decker, with the fall she had, is a testament to what the sophomore class can bring to the team this season," Revelle said. "The talent is there. They've all settled into their roles. Their improvement can be a real key to our season." Lockman will also team up with Tatum Edwards to give Nebraska one of the nation's top pitching tandems. The pitching depth will be a key early in the season as the Husker lineup could feature as many as four first-time starters. Edwards and Lockman will also play a key role in the Huskers' postseason aspirations, something the coaches considered when they planned the duo's offseason bullpen sessions. “The entire staff really grew last year and really, they’re still in that growth pattern," Revelle said of a Husker staff that ranked 15th nationally in ERA in 2013, despite entering the year with only 27 combined career starts. "They are continuing to get better