Official Site of the Corona Angels: News: EDWARDS TWINS PART OF NEBRASKA'S PLAN TO REGAIN TOP SPOT IN BIG 12

LINCOLN - As the Nebraska softball team maps out its strategy to climb back atop the Big 12, it doesn't exactly look like the Huskers are taking a patient, station-to-station approach.

Instead, coach Rhonda Revelle appears to be swinging for the fences.

Just months after the Huskers brightened their 2009 and 2010 outlook in a big way by bringing in All-America transfer and Team Canada pitcher Robin Mackin, Nebraska this summer plucked a pair of star sluggers out of Pac-10 territory for the 2011 season.

Twin sisters Taylor and Tatum Edwards, who were being pursued by most of the NCAA's top softball programs, recently picked Nebraska after narrowing their list to UCLA, Washington and the Huskers.

The sisters - fraternal twins who will be juniors at Vista Murrieta (Calif.) High School - said they loved the coaches and facilities at Nebraska. Years ago, they decided they wanted to play college ball at the same school, and they liked the fact NU was recruiting them together. Plus, the twins said they sensed that the Huskers were a close-knit group in the clubhouse.

"It's was kind of hard deciding not to stay close to home," Taylor Edwards said. "But I think it will still feel like home (at Nebraska) because I'm going to be with my sister. We know some of the girls that are already there, and some others who will be going there, and it just felt like a family when I visited."

In an area of the country known for producing elite softball players, the Edwards sisters have established themselves as two of Southern California's top prospects.

Tatum Edwards is a pitcher and outfielder who went 14-3 as a sophomore with 146 strikeouts in 104 innings and a 0.93 ERA. At the plate, she led Vista Murrieta with eight home runs. Taylor Edwards, who plays catcher, had a team-best .544 batting average with six homers and 40 RBIs this season.

The sisters earlier this month also helped their Corona Angels squad to a runner-up finish at the ASA Gold national championships.

"You talk about blue-chippers, these two are all that and more," said Vista Murrieta coach Dan Torres. "They're the whole package. They're not only talented softball players, they're great with the mental side of the game, and that's what makes them so special. It's also very impressive how they're not all about themselves - they really focus on the team."

And although their future team is coming off a rough year, the sisters said they have no doubt that the Huskers will rebound quickly.

This spring, Nebraska went 22-27 during its worst regular season since 1994. But the Huskers caught fire at the Big 12 tournament, advanced to the league championship game and came one victory short of making it to the NCAA tournament.

The Huskers next spring return every player from their 2008 roster - including senior pitcher Molly Hill, who shined in the circle as NU went 3-1 at the Big 12 tournament.

Plus, the arrival of Mackin from Fresno State should be a huge boost for Nebraska the next two seasons. A standout pitcher and hitter, the junior-to-be played for Canada and top NU assistant Lori Sippel at the Beijing Olympics.

"We know that Coach Revelle and Coach Sippel are great people, and they know how to take care of a program," Tatum Edwards said. "They may have had some down times, but that didn't have any effect on us choosing Nebraska."


• Contact the writer: 444-1207, chad.purcell@owh.com