Jordy Bahl shares approach to contributing in multiple ways

Whether it be in the pitching circle, at the plate or as a pinch runner, Jordy Bahl is always ready when her number is called. The Oklahoma softball star has contributed in all three of those areas this season, and that versatility was again on display in Saturday’s 6-1 win against Texas to claim the Big 12 Tournament title.

Not only did Bahl pitch the final three innings of that game to record the save, but she also had a hit in her only at-bat of the day and scored two runs. Her first run came in the fourth inning after she entered to pinch run for Alynah Torres. Bahl then stole second base before a double from Rylie Boone sent her home.

She got on base again in the sixth inning with a single to to right center. She advanced all the way to third on a throwing error and later beat a throw home to score OU’s sixth and final run of the day after Kinzie Hansen grounded out to third.

“Just kind of be ready for anything,” Bahl said postgame. “I think all parts of the game are really fun so, whenever I have the opportunity to do something besides pitch, it’s really fun. But also we have a bunch of girls that do all those things very, very well. So it’s fun to watch them, too. But like you said, just always be ready.”

Jordy Bahl finished the Big 12 Championship Game with three strikeouts while giving up two hits with no runs. On the season, the Sooners ace has pitched a team-high 109.1 innings with an ERA of 1.15 and 143 strikeouts. She, along with Nicole May and Alex Storako, have helped Oklahoma to lead the country with a 0.85 ERA.

Bahl has also gone 13-for-32 (.406) at the plate this season and ranks third on the team in batting average. She chipped in 11 runs as well and has gone 4-of-5 on her stolen base attempts. That versatility has been incredibly valuable to the Sooners and is one of the reasons why they have been so dominant this season.

Oklahoma earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament after finishing the regular season with a 51-1 record. The Sooners enter the tournament having won 43 straight, just four wins shy of setting the NCAA record.

OU opens Regional play at 4 p.m. CT on Friday in Norman against Hofstra. As the Sooners eye their third consecutive national championship, they’ll need Bahl to continue to contribute in a number of different ways.