Jordy Bahl leads Nebraska softball to series sweep over Northwestern
No. 21 Nebraska softball (32-10, 11-3) claimed its first series victory against Northwestern (20-15-1, 9-4) since 2017. The Huskers earned a sweep in Evanston, Ill., to advance to third place in the Big Ten Conference standings. They surpassed the Wildcats after being fourth heading into the weekend series.
The Huskers set the tone in game one with an 11-1 five-inning run rule. Nebraska scored eight runs in the second inning.
They claimed game two 10-1 after four runs in the first inning, including back-to-back home runs from lead-off hitters Jordy Bahl and Sammie Bland.
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In the third game, the Huskers and Bland struck first as Bland notched an RBI single in the fifth to take the lead 1-0. Nebraska added two insurance runs in the seventh to secure the 3-0 win.
Nebraska crushed past in-state rival Creighton for an 8-2 victory on Wednesday, April 9. Bland hit a 3-RBI home run in the second to give Nebraska a 6-0 lead.
Nebraska’s single-season home run record is 84 after five homers vs. Northwestern. The Huskers’ all-time run-rule record improves to 20 victories.
Jordy Bahl is fantastic on the mound and at the plate
Bahl continues to amaze on the mound and at the plate. She was the obvious star of the series, but several other Huskers were great. Her performance in the first two games and against Creighton earned her the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honor for the fourth time this season.
She pitched a complete game on Saturday. She allowed two hits and one run and struck out 11 while walking five batters in five innings. The redshirt junior started in the circle on Monday as well. Bahl threw a seven-inning shutout in game three. She struck out a season-high 14 batters and allowed two hits.
In Nebraska’s mid-week win over Creighton, Bahl allowed five hits and one run in six innings. She struck out eight and walked four batters in the 8-2 Husker victory. Bahl threw 304 pitches within six days.
Bahl recorded eight RBI throughout the series. She went 6-of-9 at the plate in Evanston.
In game one, she hit a 2-RBI double in the second inning and a 3-RBI home run in the fifth to ensure the run-rule. She hit a home run on Sunday as the game’s first batter. In the fifth inning, she hit an RBI single to help NU go up 7-1. Bahl crushed a 2-RBI double in the seventh on Monday to go up 3-0.
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Kylee Magee’s rise
Right-handed pitcher Kylee Magee has had a roller coaster of the year. She had wrist surgery and didn’t start throwing a softball until the end of January. Since transferring to Nebraska from Arizona State, the Huskers hoped Magee would be their No. 2 pitcher. She had several rough outings to start the season. But the sophomore has settled in nicely.
Magee started on Sunday and pitched her first complete game as a Husker. She allowed three hits and one run and struck out four batters. She walked two and hit one batter with a pitch in five innings. The Anaheim, Calif. native helped lead NU to its 20th run-rule of the season.
In Magee’s last three outings and 9 1/3 innings pitched, she has allowed five hits and two runs. The right-hander has started to settle in, but she is still working on returning to her full abilities. She is working to strengthen her wrist. Occasionally, a ball will move wonderfully and show what Magee can be at full strength and confidence. She struggles with her control but has gotten better through the season.
A statement series for the Big Red
Nebraska softball’s series sweep over Northwestern was massive for this Husker squad. They recorded their first series win over the Wildcats since 2017. Before this weekend, Northwestern had won 14 of the last 15 games. The Huskers finally shook the Wildcats off their back.
The Huskers outscored Northwestern 24-1 over the three games. Nebraska’s pitchers held the Wildcats to five hits and four runs over 17 innings.
Right-handed pitcher Lauren Boyd was pulled after one inning on Saturday. But she dialed in and was really good on Monday. The senior allowed six hits and three runs and struck out three in 6 1/3 innings. She walked three and hit two batters with a pitch. Nebraska prevailed with four hits and two runs in the seventh.
The Huskers had a great opportunity to earn a statement win and rise in the Big Ten rankings. They cashed in on the chance. Their series sweep moved them from fourth in the conference to third behind Oregon and UCLA, who are 12-1 in the Big Ten.
