Nebraska softball has Alabama, another juggernaut waiting in WCWS

Rhonda Revelle knew what she was doing when she put the schedule together this season for Nebraska softball.

Revelle understood how good the Huskers could be, so challenging themselves in the non-conference was important. As a result, Nebraska played teams like Texas Tech and Texas A&M. Nebraska also played Oklahoma State, a team in the Super Regionals, as well as Tennessee.

Nebraska was preparing itself for the Women’s College World Series. That was a smart idea, because there is another juggernaut looming for the Huskers on Saturday night.

Arkansas was knocked out of the WCWS by UCLA, but the Razorbacks were as hot as any team in Oklahoma City, and they would have been dangerous if not for Hannah Coor’s home run, Jordy Frahm’s clutch pitching, and the walk-off home run of Ava Kuszak.

Of course, Alabama is No. 1 for a reason. The Crimson Tide is 55-7. Nebraska is 52-6. On top of a stellar lineup that features seven hitters at .300 or better. Two players, Alexis Pupillo (20) and Brooke Wells (24), have at least 20 home runs, making them the first tandem in Alabama history to do that. They have also driven in 130 total runs.

Alabama bats .325 as a team, while holding opponents to .171. Nebraska hit .332 this season, but allowed opponents to hit just .201.

The Tide’s pitching staff is led by Jocelyn Briski, who earned the win over the Bruins. She’s got a 1.37 ERA and a 23-3 record. Vic Moten is another who started 23 games this season with a 1.66 ERA. Briski or Moten will likely get the ball.

Just like Jordy Frahm or Alexis Jensen will get it for Nebraska softball. It feels like Jensen starting the game, with the chance to give way to Frahm, would be the best course of action. Frahm can’t throw every single pitch.

She has to have the energy to contribute in other ways, too. Frahm is Nebraska’s best hitter and best power hitter. She also leads the team in runs scored. There are plenty of other pieces, as we saw with Hannah Coor and Kuszak pull off some heroics on Thursday night.

Samantha Bland, an all-region pick, was stellar at third base. So it’s not just about Frahm or the pitching. However, if Nebraska softball is going to knock off Alabama Saturday night, it will take all hands on deck.

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