The remaining trio of outfield contenders will primarily work on the infield. Woolman is
a candidate to start at second base, while sophomore Lotte Sjulin figures into Nebraska's
catching rotation and Taylor Otte will serve as MJ Knighten's top backup at third base.
Woolman was the Huskers' primary starting left fielder as a freshman in 2014, when
she batted .242 with a pair of doubles, three homers and 12 RBIs. Woolman has improved
in all facets of her game, and the coaching staff expect her to earn her way onto the field
whether its at second base, in the outfield or as Nebraska's designated player.
Sjulin worked primarily in the outfield last season, but she only saw action as a pinch
runner, appearing in 27 games. Although she is expected to practice extensively at catcher
this spring, she is also an outfield option where she would bring speed and range to the
position.
In addition to working as Nebraska's No. 2 third baseman, Otte will also get a look in
the Husker outfield as the coaches try to find a position that best utilizes Otte's talents.
Regardless of where she plays, the speedy Otte - a three-time all-state selection - is
expected to be a key pinch runner for the Huskers in 2015.
THIRD BASE
MJ Knighten, Sophomore..............................62 Career Starts; 62 Starts at Third Base
Taylor Otte, Freshman............................................................ No Collegiate Experience
MJ Knighten had big shoes to fill as a freshman, when she took over Nebraska's
starting third base role from Gabby Banda, a three-year starter at the position who was
one of the top defensive third basemen in school history. Knighten performed well in her
freshman season, starting every game at third base and earning second-team All-Big Ten
accolades in the process. Knighten was one of only three freshmen named to an All-Big
Ten team and the only freshman position player to be recognized as an all-conference
performer.
In addition to becoming the first Husker freshman third baseman to be an all-conference
honoree in more than 20 years, Knighten produced one of the best offensive seasons by
a freshman in school history. She batted .311 on the year with eight doubles, two triples,
six homers and 38 RBIs. Knighten also added 21 walks to post a .395 on-base percentage
that complemented a .478 slugging percentage. She hit .364 in Big Ten play while ranking
third on the team with a .462 on-base percentage in league play.
Knighten ranked sixth on Nebraska's all-time freshman chart in doubles and was eighth
in home runs, while becoming just the fourth Husker freshman since 2000 to boast a .300
batting average.
With Knighten entering her second season as the Huskers' starting third baseman,
freshman Taylor Otte has the benefit of learning from an all-conference player as she
adjusts to the Division I level. A versatile player, Otte has the ability to contribute as an
infielder or outfielder for the Huskers, and she is expected to be one of Nebraska's top
pinch runners in 2015. A three-time state champion at Wahoo High School, the in-state
product was a