It was a Big Red rampage in Baton Rouge. No. 18 Nebraska softball closed out a dominant run through the Baton Rouge regional with an 8-0, six-inning victory over Southeastern Louisiana Sunday. The Cornhuskers (42-13) advance through the NCAA regionals into Super Regionals for the first time since 2014.
Jordy Bahl completed a dominant weekend with a flourish, hitting 2-for-2 with a leadoff home run, a single and two walks. In the circle, Bahl pitched a one-hit shutout, striking out 10 while walking none. It was Bahl’s 10th 10+ strikeout game this season.
Bahl’s leadoff home run in the bottom of the first was her 23rd of the season, setting a new school record for homers in a season. She passed Ali Viola, who hit 22 home runs in 1998. Ava Kuszak followed two batters later with her 21st home run of the season, giving Nebraska a 2-0 lead. The Huskers assembled a two-out rally in the second. Lauren Camenzind drew a walk, then Bahl singled up the middle. Samantha Bland ripped a double down the the left-field line, scoring two to double the Huskers’ lead.
The Huskers’ lead stayed at four until the fourth. Ava Bredwell led off the inning with a double to left. Two batters later, Bahl drew a walk. A wild pitch moved Bredwell to third and Bahl to second, then Bland singled up the middle to score them both. On the play, Bland moved to second on the throw home on Bahl, then moved to third on an error. Bland scored on a sacrifice fly by Kuszak to push the lead to 7-0.
Bahl was well on her way to the shutout by the fifth inning. She retired the first 13 batters she faced before giving up an infield single with one out in the top of the fifth. She then retired the final five Lady Lions (50-16) to send the game to the bottom of the sixth.
Kacie Hoffmann led off the inning with a pinch-hit double to right. Kennadi Williams came on to pinch run for Hoffmann. After Bahl drew a walk, Bland reached on an infield single. Kuszak followed with a single to left, finishing off Nebraska’s 26th mercy-rule win of the year.
Along with Bahl, Bland helped pace the Huskers’ offense, hitting 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI. Kuszak was 2-for-3 with four RBI.
The Huskers now advance to the Super Regional round to face No. 7 Tennessee. Nebraska defeated the Lady Vols in the season opener Feb. 6, 7-1. The series is slated to begin Friday at 6 p.m. in Knoxville. Pregame coverage will begin at 5:45 p.m. on 105.3 The Bone.