Husker Softball Stuns Big Ten with Walk-Off Victory—How Nebraska’s Momentum Could Ignite an NCAA Run

LINCOLN, Neb. — Husker softball fever is spiking as No. 19 Nebraska stunned No. 7 Tennessee 5-2 in Game 1 of the Knoxville Super Regional, moving the Big Red one victory away from its first Women’s College World Series trip since 2014. Power + pitching • Ace Jordy Bahl (26-6) tossed a complete-game, six-strikeout gem and stole a base while scoring twice, pushing her NCAA-tournament record to an eye-popping 11-0. • Freshman Hannah Camenzind launched her 10th homer—one of just six surrendered all season by SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens—to ignite a three-run fourth inning. • Samantha Bland and Arizona transfer Olivia DiNardo each drove in key runs to keep the Vols on their heels. Why the win matters • Nebraska (43-13) owns a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three series; one more win punches the Huskers’ eighth WCWS ticket. • Friday’s upset marked the program’s first top-10 triumph since the season-opening win—also over Tennessee. • The Huskers have rattled off four straight NCAA-tournament wins for only the fourth time in school history. Record watch • Bahl is the first Husker ever to eclipse 70 runs scored in a season (71). • Four different Huskers now have double-digit homers, a single-season school record. What’s next Game 2 is set for Saturday, May 24 at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN, with an if-necessary Game 3 on Sunday. Fans can also stream audio on the Huskers Radio Network. Hot keywords to follow Nebraska softball, Husker softball, Jordy Bahl, Women’s College World Series, Big Ten softball, Knoxville Super Regional, Tennessee Lady Vols. Search demand is surging for Husker softball tickets, WCWS odds, and Bahl’s historic postseason streak—expect another spike if Nebraska seals the deal Saturday.