rachel
arthur
freshman l INFIELDER l 5-4
lincoln, neb. l pius x hs
marjani
#
knighten
29
freshman l infielder l 5-5
buena park, calif. l sunny hills hs
Season outlook
#
99
Season outlook
Rachel Arthur will work as a middle infielder for the Huskers in 2014, while also
competing for playing time as a pinch runner. A hometown product with family ties to the
Nebraska Athletic Department, Arthur has made good strides in her development during
her first few months on campus in an attempt to earn time on a talented and experienced
Husker infield. She started five of the Huskers’ eight fall games at shortstop and did not
commit an error with returning starter Alicia Armstrong sidelined by injury.
Arthur played her prep ball for Lincoln Pius X High School, helping the Thunderbolts to a
Class B state championship as a senior. An all-state selection as both a junior and senior,
Arthur produced one hit and one RBI in four at bats during Nebraska’s fall season, while
adding two runs scored.
Marjani (MJ) Knighten is a strong candidate to be Nebraska’s starting third baseman in
2014. A second-team high school All-American as a senior, Knighten possesses quick feet
and good hands, while also adding a solid bat to the Husker lineup.
Recognized as one of the top 25 players in talent-rich Orange County, Calif., Knighten
batted .456 in her high school career with an .803 slugging percentage and .501 on-base
percentage. She displayed an ability to hit for both power and average, hitting .493 over
her final three prep seasons with a combined 23 home runs and 67 RBIs. During NU’s fall
season, Knighten started all eight games at third base and produced six hits and five RBIs.
Before Nebraska
One of the top recruits in Southern California, Knighten capped her prep career by
earning second-team All-America honors from MaxPreps as a senior, one of only 19
infielders nationally to earn All-America recognition from the organization.
Named one of Orange County’s top 25 players, Knighten was a four-time all-league
selection for Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, Calif. A three-time All-Orange County
honoree, Knighten was named the Lancers’ player of the year as a sophomore, junior and
senior, and she was the school’s overall athlete of the year as a senior. Additional honors
from her senior season included a selection as the Freeway League Player of the Year
and spots on the Cal-Hi Sports first-team all-state squad for medium-size schools and the
Orange County Coaches All-Star team. Knighten also earned first-team All-CIF Southern
Section honors as a junior and a nod as the Freeway League’s best player. Knighten was
selected to play for Orange County in the Orange County vs. Riverside County All-Star
Game following her senior year.
Knighten owned a .456 (171-for-375) career batting average with 30 doubles, eight
triples, 28 home runs, 81 RBIs and 123 runs scored. She also boasted an .803 career
slugging percentage and .501 on-base percentage.
As a senior in 2013, Knighten batted .478 (55-for-115) with 12 doubles, two triples, nine
homers and 30 RBIs. She led Sunny Hills in hits, triples, home runs and runs (42). Knighten
helped the Lancers finish 21-9 and advance to the CIF Southern Section championship
game. Knighten produced 19 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI efforts in only 30
games. She drove in a season-high six runs against Cerritos and then slugged two doubles
and one home run while producing four RBIs in \