Luke Mullin, Amie Just and Wilson Moore share their thoughts on what Jordy Bahl's addition means for Nebraska softball’s 2024 expectations in the latest episode of Life in the Red.
The Nebraska softball team entered the offseason returning almost every player from the 2023 team that made a regional.
Within days, it added a Power Five transfer at first base, leaving the Huskers’ major question marks at pitcher. Could they add to a staff that lacked depth and limited their ceiling in the postseason? Who would replace workhorse starter Courtney Wallace?
Nebraska has answered those questions. Emphatically.
Oklahoma pitcher Jordy Bahl announced her intentions to transfer to NU, giving the Huskers not just a reliable starter in place of Wallace, but perhaps the best pitcher in college softball. The Papillion native spent two seasons at Oklahoma, where she went 44-2 with a 1.00 ERA and 397 strikeouts in 288 2/3 innings. The Sooners won the Women’s College World Series both years, and Bahl won most outstanding player in 2023, capping her second All-American season.
After 2 years of wonderful memories, I’m excited for 2 more representing the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This state, these people, and this N are all things I’m excited, proud, and thankful to be a part of. @HuskerSoftballpic.twitter.com/TctJwJgik3
Now she’s a Husker, dramatically changing the complexion of Nebraska’s 2024 season. The Huskers have finished in the top half of the Big Ten each of the past two years. They’re likely the favorites entering next season after defending champ Northwestern lost major pieces in the lineup and circle.
“Having known Jordy for several years, we have not been surprised by her accomplishments as she has always been the epitome of a driven, determined and laser-focused competitor," Nebraska coach Rhonda Revelle said in a release. "Jordy is a winner on the inside and out, and she uplifts and inspires all who are around her. This is a wonderful day for Husker Nation to welcome back our homegrown Husker Jordy Bahl.”
It also sets the Huskers up with their best chance at a World Series run in a decade, adding a bona fide star to a young, developing core that has improved each of the past two years.
Bahl’s freshman year ERA of 0.91 would have been the lowest at Nebraska since 2004 — when she was 1 year old. She appeared in more than half of the historically great Oklahoma games and could have an even greater impact on the Huskers; Wallace took the circle in 48 of Nebraska’s 58 contests.
One of the low points in the Huskers’ 2023 season came when they were swept by Northwestern and allowed at least eight runs in all three games. Bahl has never given up more than four runs in an outing.
Bahl has a long history with Nebraska. She committed to NU ahead of her freshman year and reopened her recruitment the summer before her junior year, ultimately landing at Oklahoma. Revelle and pitching coach Lori Sippel have both remained at Nebraska in the four years since.
In her initial announcement that she was entering the portal, Bahl hinted that Nebraska might be her destination.
“I have decided to return home and play the game I love,” she wrote in a statement on Twitter, “closer to the things that have made me who I am and that have always been more important to me than this game … I am excited to return home and be Jordy Bahl the softball player, but more importantly the person.”
Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso shed more light in her own statement the same day, saying Bahl met with the OU staff Friday “feeling a strong need to be closer to home.”
Her next home game will be at Bowlin Stadium, an hour away from Papillion. She gets what she wants. Nebraska might get even more.