Nebraska
How to Watch Nebraska Softball vs Southern Miss, Bethune-Cookman: Preview, Breakdown, Streaming
Nebraska softball started the 2025 season with a bang beating No. 6 Tennessee 7-1 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla., Thursday night.
Junior Jordy Bahl not only returned from a season-ending ACL injury in 2024, but pitched a gem and hit her first-career collegiate home run.
Bahl scattered five hits in the circle while striking out seven across seven innings. At the plate, she was 1-for-3 with the homer and two runs batted in.
Sophomore third baseman Samantha Bland went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, while Tennessee’s starter, Karlyn Pickens, struck out 11 but ran into trouble in the fifth and was replaced in the sixth.
Jordy Bahl was key on both sides of the ball for Nebraska in the Huskers’ season-opening win over Tennessee, with a 2-run home run and a complete game win in the circle to her credit. pic.twitter.com/Fg7mtQiC3X
— Justin McLeod (@justfactsmaam) February 7, 2025
The Huskers play two on Friday against Southern Miss and Bethune-Cookman, here is everything you need to know before the first pitch.
How to Follow Along
Nebraska head coach Rhonda REVELLE after her team’s season-opening win over Tennessee at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. pic.twitter.com/jND8nYh3xy
— Justin McLeod (@justfactsmaam) February 7, 2025
Southern Miss Scout
The Golden Eagles’ roster is an even mix of experience and fresh talent, with 15 returners and 15 newcomers, including nine first-year players — the most for the program since 2014.
Southern Miss finished last season 22-29 (10-14 Sun Belt) and secured a spot in the conference tournament for the second straight year, marking the program’s first back-to-back appearances since 2012-2013.
Head Coach: Natalie Poole
Poole enters her third season as head coach of Southern Miss Softball, leading the Golden Eagles to consecutive conference tournament appearances for the first time since 2012-2013.
In 2024, she guided the team to its first home conference series win in the Sun Belt, its first conference series sweep, and a victory over No. 24 Texas State — the program’s first win against a ranked opponent since 2022.
Before joining Southern Miss, Poole spent 11 seasons as Memphis’ head coach, becoming the second head coach in that program’s history.
Prior to her tenure at Memphis, Poole spent time coaching at her alma mater McNeese State and Georgia Southern.
2024 Record: 22-29, 10-14 Sun Belt
All-Time Series: Nebraska won the only meeting between the two in 2003 by a score of 5-0.
Key Returners: Jana Lee, P/INF, Sr. | Natalie Taylor, OF, Sr. | Shelby Allen, OF, Jr. | Mikaila Fox, OF, Gr. | Kinsley Gordon, INF, Jr. | Maddie Weeks, INF, Sr.
Key Additions: Faith Kivett, INF/UT, Sr. | Sam Bodell, C, Sr. | Claire Ginder, INF, Gr. | Abigail Morgan, P, So. | Natalie Herrington, P, Jr. | Jolie Hays, P, Fr.
Key Departures: Hannah Borden, C
Two Golden Eagles received all-conference recognition last season, with returner Jana Lee earning Second Team All-Sun Belt honors and former graduate catcher Hannah Borden securing First Team All-Sun Belt and Third Team NFCA South Region accolades. Together, they totaled 100 hits, racking up 24 doubles, 23 home runs, and 77 RBIs.
Lee aims to build on a strong 2024 season, where she tallied a career-high 39 hits — third most on the team — while batting .320 with a .566 slugging percentage over 40 games. Her 15 home runs ranked fourth in the Sun Belt, and she also made an impact in the circle, appearing in 26 games and leading the pitching staff with nine wins and 40 strikeouts across 95 innings, including six conference victories.
Bethune-Cookman Scout
Bethune-Cookman finished the 2024 season with a 20-32 overall record but found success in SWAC play, posting a 16-8 conference mark. The Wildcats’ season came to an end in the SWAC Tournament with a 4-1 loss to Alabama State.
Head Coach: Laura Watten
Laura Watten, the winningest coach in Bethune-Cookman Athletics history, enters her 17th season at the helm of the Wildcats’ softball program. A three-time Coach of the Year across multiple conferences, she has guided numerous players to Player of the Year honors throughout her career.
In 2022, Watten led Bethune-Cookman to its first-ever SWAC Eastern Division title during the program’s debut season in the conference, following more than 30 years in the MEAC.
Heading into the 2024 season, she holds a 32-16 record in SWAC play and an all-time head coaching record of 785-706, including a 494-443 mark with the Wildcats. She is just six wins away from reaching 500 victories with Bethune-Cookman.
2024 Record: 20-32, 16-8 SWAC
All-Time Series: Nebraska leads the series 1-0.
Key Returners: Haylne Gonzalez, P/INF, Sr. | Jessica Alaan, INF/UT, So. | Thais Uyema, C/INF, Gr. | Briana Velazquez INF/ UT, R-Sr.
Key Additions: Emma Bradley-Tse, OF, Jr. | Molly Blackwood, INF, Fr.
Key Departures: Ciera Clark, 1B
Senior pitcher Halyne Gonzalez earned a spot on the SWAC Preseason First Team, while Jessica Alaan, Thais Uyema, and Briana Velazquez were named to the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team. Bethune-Cookman adds five newcomers to the 2025 roster, including four freshmen and one junior transfer.
The Wildcats return eight starters from last season’s lineup, along with seven additional letter-winners from a squad that finished third in the SWAC East. Velazquez, last year’s starting shortstop, posted a .325 batting average and hit one of the team’s three home runs. Kendall Macauley accounted for another, while Alaan led the team with 27 RBIs, finishing with 43 hits and a .287 batting average.
MORE: Nebrasketball Brunch Show: Can the Huskers Make it Four Straight Wins?
MORE: What If: The 1975 College Football Season
MORE: Why Did Nebraska Football Cancel The Spring Game?
MORE: Signee Analysis: Running Back Jamarion Parker
MORE: Signee Analysis: Running Back Conor Booth
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — After a hamstring injury during Nebraska’s baseball season, Will Jesske was advised to take it easy this summer. He is, but Jesske has found a new way to stay involved in the game.
Jesske is coaching a local legion baseball team. He is a volunteer assistant for Lincoln Hotel Group, the senior legion team for Standing Bear High School.
Jesske, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, describes himself as the “hype man” in the LHG dugout. He brings energy and enthusiasm, which players enjoy. Jesske said coaching is a way he can give back to local players while helping LHG’s coaching staff. Jesske played under Tanner Lewis and Kyle Beacom in high school. They now lead the LHG legion program.
Jesske is entering his senior season at Nebraska. He has appeared in 95 games over his career, including 33 during the Huskers’ 43-win season this spring. Jesske was injured early in the season but played through it as Nebraska hosted an NCAA regional. He hit .318 in his junior season. Jesske said he is fully healthy and credited extended rest with his recovery.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari wanted in Lincoln, accused of assaulting pregnant woman
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari is wanted in Lancaster County on suspicion of assaulting a pregnant woman in May.
An arrest warrant was filed for Ferrari on Thursday. He faces three felony charges which include first-degree false imprisonment and assault by strangling a pregnant woman.
According to an arrest affidavit, a woman from California contacted police in Lincoln on May 8 just after midnight. She told officers her daughter called for help and pointed them to Ferrari’s apartment.
Police arrived at the apartment and knocked on the door. A pregnant woman came out after several minutes of knocking with no answer. Officers said the woman was visibly upset.
She told officers that Ferrari tried taking her phone away after an argument, but she wouldn’t let him take it. The arrest affidavit shows Ferrari then dragged her off a bed by her feet.
Police think Ferrari then got on top of her and strangled her, likely until she was unconscious. The woman told police that she felt as though her throat “collapsed” and that she was “breathing through a straw.”
Once regaining consciousness, police said the woman tried hiding in a closet and contacting her mother on another device. But Ferrari followed her, pushed her onto a bed and sat on her until she apologized, according to the affidavit.
She apologized in order to be released, police said. The woman then tried to leave the apartment, but police said Ferrari dragged her by the arm back inside. She found her phone and contacted her mother, yelling “help!”, prosecutors wrote.
Ferrari grabbed the phone and hung up, according to the affidavit. The woman’s mother tried calling several more times before calling police.
Authorities transported the woman to Bryan West for treatment. Officers said she sustained injuries consistent with strangulation, including bruising around her neck and other abrasions.
Last weekend, Ferrari was arrested in Lincoln County on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and obstructing the police. He was cited after a trooper chased a Corvette in the North Platte area.
Lincoln County authorities told KOLN that Ferrari is out on bond. His current whereabouts are unclear.
Court records show that the woman has filed for a protection order against Ferrari. A hearing has been set for July 7 to give him an opportunity to show the court why one should not be issued.
Previously, Ferrari was booked in Lancaster County, Nebraska for an outstanding warrant in January of this year, but those charges were dismissed later that week.
Ferrari parted ways with the Huskers in April of this year.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
The Nebraska State Fair is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special 72-hour flash sale on Season Passes.
From July 3 through July 5, fans can purchase a 2026 Season Pass for just $50—a significant discount from its regular value of $132.
The pass includes one admission per day for all 11 days of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, making it ideal for visitors who plan to attend multiple days.
Fair officials say the promotion is one of the biggest Season Pass discounts offered in years and will not be extended.
After July 5, Season Passes will remain available at a higher discounted price.
-
Louisiana2 minutes agoSupreme Court rules in indictment against Louisiana attorney general
-
Maine9 minutes agoMagalloway Conservation Project in western Maine nearing completion
-
Maryland12 minutes agoBaltimore Gas and Electric seeks $8 monthly rate increase for Maryland customers
-
Michigan17 minutes agoMichigan lawmakers work through the night on ‘compromise’ budget
-
Massachusetts24 minutes agoMassachusetts city imposes curfew ahead of historic World Cup match
-
Minnesota27 minutes ago
Where to watch Minnesota Lynx vs New York Liberty on July 3: TV channel, start time and streaming
-
Mississippi32 minutes agoList of Jackson area events to celebrate July 4th before firework shows
-
Missouri39 minutes agoMost Missouri state and Columbia offices closed Friday; Columbia parking meters will not be enforced during Fourth of July weekend | 93.9 The Eagle
