Historic Ascent: Nebraska Cornhuskers Softball Earns First-Ever No. 1 Ranking
In a monumental moment for Nebraska athletics, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers softball team has clinched the No. 1 ranking in the Softball America Top 25 Poll for the first time in program history. This unprecedented rise to the top is the result of a season defined by grit, dominance, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
The Cornhuskers, led by Head Coach Rebecca “Becky” Larson in her sixth season at the helm, have stormed through the 2025 campaign with a 42-3 overall record, including an unblemished 18-0 in Big Ten play. Their ascent has not just been steady—it’s been seismic. Nebraska’s climb began after a February upset over then-No. 2 UCLA, which triggered a 19-game winning streak marked by tactical brilliance, clutch hitting, and a pitching staff that has become the envy of collegiate softball.
At the heart of Nebraska’s success is junior pitcher Maya Caldwell, a right-hander from Papillion, Nebraska, who currently leads the nation in ERA (0.84) and WHIP (0.72). Caldwell’s precision and poise in the circle have turned her into a bona fide star, regularly silencing the nation’s most feared lineups with her biting riseball and surgical command. Her recent complete-game shutout against Michigan—striking out 14 in front of a roaring home crowd—cemented her place in the national Player of the Year conversation.
Offensively, Nebraska has evolved into a powerhouse. Leadoff hitter and center fielder Kiara Thompson is batting .417 with 38 stolen bases, setting the tone for an aggressive, fast-paced offense. Sophomore catcher Rachel Dominguez has added thunder to the lineup with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs, while freshman shortstop Talia Price has dazzled with both her glove and bat, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
“This is more than just a ranking,” Coach Larson said in a press conference following the announcement. “It’s the result of belief—belief in our system, belief in each other, and belief in what this program could become. We’ve talked about making history since day one, and today, these young women made it a reality.”
The Cornhuskers’ No. 1 spot also signifies a shift in the national landscape of collegiate softball. Traditionally dominated by powerhouses like Oklahoma, Alabama, and Florida State, the top tier now has a new, unlikely contender—one forged in the heartland, driven by homegrown talent and fueled by years of building from within.
Fans have responded in kind. Bowlin Stadium has seen record-breaking attendance throughout the spring, with standing-room-only crowds and a surge in merchandise sales. The buzz in Lincoln is palpable, as the community rallies around a team that has rewritten expectations and placed Nebraska softball squarely in the national spotlight.
With the postseason looming, all eyes are now on the Cornhuskers. Can they sustain their dominance and translate a historic ranking into a national championship run? One thing is certain: the Nebraska Cornhuskers are no longer the hunters—they are the hunted, and they’re ready for it.
