3 takeaways from Nebraska softball advancing to Super Regional

Nebraska softball didn’t just win the Baton Rouge Regional, the Huskers dominated it.

The Huskers didn’t have to play 10th-seeded LSU during the regional. SE Louisiana beat the Tigers twice, just like Nebraska softball rolled past SE Louisiana twice, including on Sunday, 8-0 to advance to the Super Regional of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2014.

Over the three days, Nebraska went 3-0. The Huskers won their three games, all run-rule wins, 32-4.

Tennessee is up next, but here are three takeaways.

No adjectives left for Jordy Bahl

There’s just not enough adjectives to describe the impact Jordy Bahl has on this program game in and game out. Nebraska didn’t win just because of her.

The rest of the team is balling, too. This is the best offense Nebraska has ever had. Bahl is a huge part of that. She set the program record with 67 runs in a single season. She also set the program record with 23 home runs in a season, as well as extra-base hits, a record she set before the NCAA tournament. It just keeps growing.

Bahl became the fourth player in the history of college softball to have at least 20 home runs and 20 wins. She might get 25 of each at this rate. The Nebraska native got her 25th win on Sunday after six scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts. She’s two home runs away and has at least two more games.

You can say she’s incredible, stupendous, program-changing, out-of-this-world, it’s all true, but none of it seems to accurately describe her impact. That’s how good she’s been.

Bahl had 10 at-bats and didn’t get out once. She hit four home runs, walked five times, and singled another. The junior also pitched 12 innings, allowed two hits, one run, and struck out 16.

She’s the best player in college softball by a country mile.

Nebraska is more than just Jordy Bahl

It’s hard not to focus on Bahl. But the Huskers have others who have been outstanding. Sammie Bland had three hits and drove in four runs on Sunday. She had six hits and six RBI in the regional. Ava Kuszak also hit a home run on Sunday and had six hits over three days.

The Huskers have 26 run-rule victories. They have set all kinds of offensive records and didn’t even play a seventh inning in three consecutive NCAA tournament games.

The Huskers are dangerous

Nebraska softball can be shut down. We saw UCLA hold the Huskers to just two runs in the Big Ten semifinals. But the offense is elite, at least it has been the past few games.

SE Louisiana didn’t get run-ruled all season. They beat 10th-seeded LSU twice. It’s not like Nebraska wasn’t playing good teams.

Tennessee will be a different challenge. Karlyn Pickens is one of the best pitchers in college softball, right along with Bahl. However, the Huskers shouldn’t fear anyone right now.

They are hot, and they are playing with house money.