‘A generational force’: Nebraska transfer Jordy Bahl sparks excitement in program
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – In just two seasons at Oklahoma, pitcher Jordy Bahl made a name for herself.
The Papillion native was dominant on the mound in her freshman and sophomore seasons, securing a 44-2 record, a 1.00 ERA and 397 strikeouts.
But despite the success – which included two national titles and several awards – Bahl felt it was time to return to where it all began.
On Thursday, Bahl announced that she would be transferring to Nebraska with two years of eligibility left.
“I’ve always been a big homebody,” she said Tuesday at a press conference at Memorial Stadium.
Bahl said the decision to play for the Huskers, whom she grew up watching with her dad, came down to homesickness.
During her time at Oklahoma, Bahl had “pretty strong feelings” of homesickness that kept getting worse.
“I started just knowing that my heart was always at home,” she said.
Bahl had mixed feelings about leaving the team she had just won a second national championship with.
But once she made it home, Bahl was overcome with feelings of relief and joy.
“It’s just started to sink in that, you know, like this is real,” she said. “I’m not going to have to leave home again and I’m going to get to represent it.”
Bahl’s transfer sparked excitement in the Nebraska softball program, head coach Rhonda Revelle said.
“It’s an exciting time for Nebraska softball, and it’s an exciting time for our staff and those that get to take the field with her,” she said.
During the press conference, the longtime coach – who has known Bahl for several years – said the transfer’s timing was perfect.
With Bahl’s arm and several players returning from last year’s team, Revelle thinks the Huskers will have a lot of success on the field.
“People talk about generational athletes, but she might be a generational force for the University of Nebraska,” Revelle said.
Emotional moment for #Husker softball head coach @RhondaRevelle today telling the story of the moment @Jordybahl called her about coming home.
“We’ve always been Jordy Bahl fans. As a person first, as an athlete second.” @Channel8ABC pic.twitter.com/vPXfV5Ptyw
— Lauren Michelson (@LaurenMichelson) June 20, 2023
Nebraska softball’s 2024 schedule has yet to be released, so it’s not known when Husker fans will get their first glimpse of Bahl.
But she said it will be an emotional moment when she steps onto the field at Bowlin Stadium in scarlet and cream for the first time.
“The goal is to leave everything out there and see what happens,” Bahl said. “I’m a firm believer that the end is already written, and so with that, you just show up every day and give everything you have.”
Jordy Bahl (@jordybahl) shares her excitement to be a #Husker & part of a school championing women’s athletics.
“This program just sets a standard that people want to follow for women’s sports…it’s going to be really cool to be apart of that.” @Channel8ABC pic.twitter.com/wiucafvC3x
— Lauren Michelson (@LaurenMichelson) June 20, 2023
