2015 Nebraska Softball Media Guide | Page 21

mattie FOWLER JUNIOR l INFIELDER l 5-9 TUCSON, ARIZ. l CANYON DEL ORO HS FOWLER’S CAREER HIGHS # » Hits: 3 (three times) » Runs: 2 (four times) » Doubles: 2 » Walks: 2 (six times) 17 CAREER HONORS & AWARDS Hitting Streak: 5 games » RBIs: 4 » Home Runs: 1 (nine times) » Stolen Bases: 1 (five times) Nebraska’s 14 Big Ten Conference victories. Fowler was especially clutch in the eighth inning, leading the Huskers to a perfect 3-0 record in extra-inning contests. She lifted Nebraska to a pair of one-run, eight-inning victories at Minnesota and Ohio State by producing an RBI single in the top of the eighth inning in both wins. In Nebraska’s other extra-inning win at UNO, Fowler singled and scored the game-winning run in the Huskers’ 1-0 eight-inning victory. On the year, Fowler hit .011 higher with runners in scoring position, and she produced 11 of her 27 RBIs with two outs. After earning Arizona Gatorade Player-of-the-Year honors in her senior season of high school, Fowler’s college career got off to a slow start in her opening weekend as she dealt with a position change, while also taking on a pitching role. After settling in at her natural position of shortstop and focusing only on that position, Fowler flourished in the second weekend of her career. In five games in New Mexico, Fowler went 7-for-15 with three doubles, a home run, two walks, four runs scored and eight RBIs. She excelled in two games against 2011 NCAA Tournament qualifier New Mexico State, finishing 5-for-6 with three doubles, a home run, six RBIs and four runs scored in two games against the Aggies. In the final game of the weekend, Fowler went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a home run and four RBIs against NMSU. She established career highs in hits, RBIs and runs in that game, while her home run was a walk-off, three-run shot that wrapped up NU’s 10-2, five-inning run-rule victory. Defensively, Fowler posted a .921 fielding percentage, committing 13 errors. She also made one appearance in the circle, starting against Idaho State in the third game of the season, allowing four runs on four hits in 2.0 innings. She did not factor into the decision. » Three-Time Nebraska Team Captain (2013, 2014, 2015) » Two-Time Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2013, 2014) » Two-Time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2013, 2014) » Two-Time Academic All-Big Ten (2013, 2014) » Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award (2013) » Seven-Time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll » Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2014) MEDICAL HARDSHIP [2014] Mattie Fowler started Nebraska’s first 11 games at first base in 2014, before suffering an injury against Arizona on Feb. 21. The injury required season-ending surgery, but Fowler was granted a medical hardship following the 2014 season, giving her two seasons of eligibility remaining. Although she only played in 11 games, Fowler made an impact. She batted .357 in her limited action, collecting 10 hits in 28 at bats. She added one double, four runs and five RBIs. Fowler also drew four walks to post a .441 on-base percentage, and she hit safely in eight of her 11 games. Following her season-ending surgery, Fowler continued to serve a key leadership role for the Huskers in her second straight season as co-captain, helping NU win its second straight NCAA Regional title. Although her playing time was limited, Fowler continued to be one of Nebraska’s top all-around student-athletes. She earned the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for t