In what can only be described as a jaw-dropping upset and a seismic shake-up in the world of college softball, the Nebraska Huskers stormed into Tennessee’s backyard and toppled the No. 7 national seed Volunteers, setting the stage for a heart-pounding battle for a spot in the prestigious Women’s College World Series. With an emphatic 5-2 victory in Game One of the Knoxville Super Regional, Nebraska isn’t just knocking—they’re pounding on the door of softball immortality.
This win propels the Huskers’ record to a remarkable 43-13, while Tennessee’s season now reads 43-15, as the Volunteers are left reeling on their home turf. Nebraska’s dominance wasn’t a fluke—it was the result of sheer grit, brilliant strategy, and a dash of dramatic flair that left fans and commentators alike buzzing with excitement.
At the center of this epic showdown was none other than Husker ace Jordy Bahl, who delivered a masterclass performance on the mound. Pitching a complete seven innings, Bahl silenced Tennessee’s bats with surgical precision—allowing only two earned runs on seven hits, fanning six batters, and refusing to surrender a single walk. Her record now stands at an astounding 26-6, underscoring why she’s the talk of the nation. Bahl wasn’t just a pitcher; she was a gladiator on the mound, the heartbeat of Nebraska’s victory.
But the excitement didn’t stop with Bahl’s pitching heroics. The Huskers’ bats came alive at crucial moments, sparking a thrilling offensive display. Right from the first inning, the momentum swung when Olivia DiNardo singled to drive in Bahl, giving Nebraska an immediate edge. The rally continued with Samantha Bland’s clutch double in the third inning, again driving in a run and keeping Tennessee on the back foot.
The fourth inning was nothing short of electrifying and could be replayed as a highlight reel moment in Nebraska softball history. Hannah Camenzind blasted a majestic solo home run, a blast that sent shockwaves through the stadium. But the drama escalated when her sister Lauren and Bella Bacon reached base, setting up a high-tension moment. With runners on second and third, Bahl popped up to just beyond the infield near shortstop, only for the Tennessee left fielder to call off her teammate at the last heartbeat—and the ball dropped! Chaos erupted as two Huskers sprinted home, turning a potential out into a pivotal, game-changing play.
Tennessee tried to answer back, launching a solo homer in the second inning and managing to score once more on a wild pitch in the fifth. But Nebraska’s defense and pitching held firm, sealing the deal with a sense of unwavering confidence.
The Huskers and Volunteers will resume this intense showdown Saturday at 4 p.m. CDT, with ESPN broadcasting the high-stakes clash. The winner punches their ticket to the coveted Women’s College World Series—where legends are made and dreams realized.
This victory adds another golden chapter to Nebraska’s NCAA Tournament history. The Huskers now boast a 69-56 record in tournament games and have split their six Super Regional contests evenly at 3-3. Remarkably, today’s win was Nebraska’s first triumph over a top-10 opponent since the stunning upset of then-No. 6 Tennessee in the 2025 season opener. Talk about poetic justice.
Individually, Jordy Bahl’s dominance is unmatched—her NCAA Tournament record now stands undefeated at 11-0. She also made history off the field by becoming Nebraska’s first-ever player to score over 70 runs in a single season, reaching an astonishing 71. Meanwhile, Hannah Camenzind’s homer marked her 10th of the year, joining three other Huskers in making history as the first Nebraska team to feature four players with double-digit homers in one season.
On the other side, Tennessee’s star pitcher Karlyn Pickens, who had only given up six home runs all season, was twice victimized by the powerful Huskers—first by Bahl in the opener and again today by Camenzind’s monstrous blast.
As the series continues, all eyes will be on Knoxville, where the underdog Huskers are poised to rewrite history. Will Nebraska’s relentless spirit carry them all the way to the Women’s College World Series? One thing’s certain: college softball just witnessed a thrilling upset that will be talked about for years to come.
