Jordy Bahl's legend grows. And she may have even won an
NCAA tournament game without throwing a pitch. Or swinging a bat.
Facing Bahl in the second game of its NCAA regional was likely the impetus for LSU starting its No. 2 pitcher Jayden Heavener over No. 1 starter Sydney Berzon on Friday night against Southeastern Louisiana.
Southeastern Louisiana stunned LSU 4-3 in part because Heavener walked five and hit two. The Tigers then lost again Saturday to Southeastern Louisiana 8-7 after getting a disastrous start from their No. 3 pitcher, who allowed four runs without recording an out.
Nebraska could control Southeastern Louisiana, LSU coach Beth Torina said, because of Bahl's strikeout capacity.
"Jordy Bahl's able to punch people out," Torina said after LSU was eliminated. "So then they're not putting the ball in play. If we're trying to get 21 outs on the ground, it's going to be a long day."
Bahl punched out Southeastern Louisiana early Sunday -- with strikeouts from the circle and a leadoff homer from the plate.
Next up for Nebraska: A super regional trip to Tennessee. Don't bet against No. 98 and NU's band of home run hitters.
Bland is clutch
There are no official stats to measure clutch. If there were, Nebraska's Samantha Bland would be highly regarded.
Whether with her glove at third base or with her bat as the No. 2 hitter, Bland's play-making ability stood out during the NU's postseason run.
Bland went 6 for 9 and drove in six runs during three regional games, following Bahl in the leadoff role as a fast, dynamic bat capable of hitting for power or laying down a bunt as needed.
"When Jordy was injured last year, we were in the middle of a game and she said, 'I don't know where Sammie will play next year and I don't know where she'll hit, but I want her close to me,'" coach Rhonda Revelle said.
As a freshman, Bland was the everyday starter in left field last season. But with Abbie Squier back from injury and a vacant spot at third, NU moved Bland to the infield over the offseason.
Her defense has been steady, but an early season slump at the plate provided a hurdle.
"There was a point offensively that she kinda had a crossroads, and I think every good hitter does," Revelle said. "You can be frustrated, or you can roll up your sleeves and go to work and get blisters. She rolled up her sleeves, went to work and got blisters, so now you have to tell her that the bat's looking heavy and to get out of the (batting) cages."
Familiar foes
One of the biggest stories from the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament came out of the Baton Rouge Regional -- and it wasn't Nebraska sweeping through the field.
No. 10 national seed LSU crashed out of the tournament with its lone win coming over UConn, marking the second time in five years that LSU has been eliminated at its own home regional.
The surprise was that Bahl and the Huskers dealt none of those losses to the Tigers, with fourthseeded Southeastern Louisiana doing the damage.
The programs, separated by 50 miles, are no strangers. Prior to the NCAA tournament, LSU had won its last 15 meetings against Southeastern by a combined 135-18.
Recent meetings had been competitive, including a two-run loss in 2024 and a one-run defeat earlier this season -- but back-toback wins over the top program in the state marked Southeastern's biggest breakthrough.
"We take away a lot of good from this regional experience," coach Rick Fremin said. "Our goal is to be the best mid-major team in the country, so we'll keep raising the bar until we do that or our season ends in Oklahoma City."
Despite Southeastern's lopsided losses to Nebraska, there was plenty of mutual respect between the two coaches, who had a lengthy postgame chat on the infield dirt.
"Kudos to Nebraska, they have a phenomenal team and Rhonda does a great job," Fremin said. "She said some very respectful things to (assistant Alana Fremin) and I at the end of the game and I'll keep that personal."
Proud of his own team's performance, Fremin credited Bahl for shutting down the lineup in a way few have managed to.
"Jordy is a softball player, she plays the game the right way and she plays it hard, so her parents and coaches did a phenomenal job with her," Fremin said. "I believe she's one of the best players in the country."
Other notes
Gift for coach: Nebraska players celebrated their regional victory by gifting a home run ball to strength coach Rusty Ruffcorn, who had missed NU's previous two games to attend his daughter's graduation over the weekend.
After arriving in Baton Rouge early Sunday morning, Ruffcorn was able to watch NU seal the regional title.
We meet again: Tennessee, Nebraska's upcoming super regional opponent, is a team the Huskers are familiar with. NU beat the Volunteers 7-1 in the opening game of its 2025 season.