Nebraska
Jordy Bahl’s Nebraska homecoming has been ‘incredible’ — now it’s time for a postseason run
LINCOLN, Neb. — For the first 30 or so games of the 2025 softball season, Nebraska coach Rhonda Revelle checked in with Jordy Bahl to monitor her stamina each time the Huskers played.
Twice a national champion and a former first-team All-America pitcher at Oklahoma, Bahl had not attempted to hit at the collegiate level until this year. And she was returning this spring from a year on the bench to mend from a knee injury that required surgery after the season opener in 2024.
Revelle sat Bahl for one game early in the season to manage her workload. The former Gatorade National Player of the Year out of Papillion, Neb., paced in the dugout for the entire game.
She didn’t get much rest.
The formula to keep her fresh during her junior season, Revelle said, involved belief. The coach trusted that Bahl, who matured in that redshirt season a year ago, could track her endurance and strength without constant check-ins.
“She has one motor,” Revelle said. “But one thing she has learned as she’s gotten older is how to idle the motor a little bit. The motor’s still running. As we’ve come down the stretch, you can almost see her being very calculated: ‘What does this mean for me?’
“She’s answered the call. And I don’t think she’s ever held back. She understands the mission.”
The mission for Bahl and No. 19 Nebraska takes them to West Lafayette, Ind., for the Big Ten tournament and a quarterfinal game on Thursday against Penn State. The Huskers tied UCLA for second place in the Big Ten behind Oregon and will fight for an outside shot to host an NCAA Regional next week.
Bahl is a top candidate for national player of the year. She ranks in the top 15 in 13 statistical categories. Her .467 batting average puts her on pace to break a school record. She’s hit 19 home runs with a 1.524 OPS.
In the circle, she’s 22-5 with a 1.46 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 163 1/3 innings.
Her first full season at Nebraska has more than lived up to expectations.
“It has exceeded them,” she said.
The realization came not after a home run or a pitching win — Bahl needs one more homer to become the fourth 20-20 player in NCAA history — but after the Huskers beat Maryland on Saturday.
Bahl pitched Friday and Sunday against the Terps, allowing no runs on one hit to earn Big Ten pitcher of the week honors for the fifth time. She homered twice in the series, which drew 7,929 fans over three games. Bahl returned to the field after the middle game of the series with her two dogs to soak in what she had experienced.
A crowd of 3,021 watched the Huskers win 9-2, the first sellout in the history of Nebraska’s Bowlin Stadium.
Nothing like reflecting at the end of a special day. Thank you to the 3,021 fans who completely filled this place for the first time ever. Thank you to all of the alumni in attendance who built Nebraska softball. Let’s celebrate some rock solid human beings and seniors tomorrow😊 pic.twitter.com/J15az9FGSf
— Jordyn Bahl (@jordybahl) May 4, 2025
“It was absolutely incredible, and it was everything that I dreamed about when I was a little girl, growing up in this state going to these games,” she said. “To see it actually happening, it’s hard to wrap your mind around. But it’s happening. And it’s so exciting. And it’s making dreams come true.”
Bahl committed to Nebraska before her freshman year of high school in 2017. She flipped to Oklahoma because she thought it offered all that she wanted.
After winning two national championships, she still felt unfulfilled. Bahl was named the most outstanding player at the 2023 Women’s College World Series. She entered the transfer portal less than a week later.
There was only one possible destination.
On Sunday in Lincoln, as Nebraska honored four seniors in the last regular-season home game of 2025, Bahl worked four hitless innings and led off the bottom of the first with an opposite-field home run. Replicas of her No. 98 jersey dotted the bleachers on a sun-drenched afternoon.
A group of girls who play softball in Elgin, Neb., watched her intently from the right field berm.
Bahl is on track to become the first player nationally since 2017 to score more runs than she’s allowed while pitching 130 innings or more.
“She’s really helped recalibrate the standard for Nebraska softball — from practice to what we do in the weight room to just overall focus,” Revelle said. “There’s not a part of our program that she hasn’t impacted.”
Without her last year, Nebraska finished 30-23 and missed the postseason. It is 38-12 this season, with help from six first-year transfers. Shortstop Ava Kuszak, a transfer from Wisconsin, has matched Bahl’s 19 homers.
But it is Bahl, according to Revelle, who serves as the “competitive lighthouse” for Nebraska.
“Everybody knows what she’s capable of,” the coach said. “And it starts with her. She knows what she’s capable of.”
Said catcher Ava Bredwell: “Our lineup feeds off of her energy.”
Nebraska is 1-5 against ranked opponents this season. Bahl did not pitch in a 9-1 loss against UCLA or a loss against Southern Miss, both in February.
“Any time she takes the mound, we feel like we have a shot to win,” Revelle said.
The intensity at this time of year rises. Bahl knows the feeling.
“It’s always a lot more fun playing the game when you feel like your back’s against the wall and your season’s on the line,” she said.
Welcome to the postseason. The Huskers are ready to follow Bahl’s lead.
(Photo courtesy of Nebraska Athletics)
Nebraska
Extreme Heat Watches and Heat Advisories issued across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota
A widespread period of dangerous heat is expected to affect large portions of the central United States through next week into the July 4 weekend.
National Weather Service offices across the country have issued Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Watches covering parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Heat indices of over 38°C (100°F) across many locations, while several areas could experience peak values between 41 and 43°C (105 and 110°F).
Kansas
Heat Advisories are in effect from 13:00 CDT Sunday, June 28, until 21:00 CDT Wednesday, July 1, across central, east-central, south-central, and southeast Kansas, where heat index values of 38 to 41°C (100 to 105°F) are forecast.
An Extreme Heat Watch covers north-central, northeast, and east-central Kansas from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening, June 30, with peak heat index values potentially reaching 42°C (108°F). Eastern Kansas, including areas near the Missouri border, is also included in a broader Extreme Heat Watch covering adjacent portions of Missouri through Tuesday evening.
Illinois and Missouri
Heat Advisories cover broad areas of southern, central, and western Illinois together with central, eastern, northeastern, southeastern, and western Missouri from Sunday afternoon through Thursday night, where daily heat index values above 38°C (100°F) are expected. These advisories will be effective between 12:00 and 13:00 CDT on Sunday, June 28, and remain in effect until either 20:00 CDT or 00:00 CDT Friday, July 3, depending on the forecast area.
Meanwhile, an Extreme Heat Watch is in effect for the St. Louis metropolitan region—including Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties in Illinois and Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Louis County, and St. Louis City in Missouri—from Sunday afternoon, June 28, through Thursday evening, July 2, where heat index values of 41 to 43°C (105 to 110°F) are possible. Additional Extreme Heat Watches cover northeast Missouri and portions of western Illinois from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening, June 30.
Iowa
Heat Advisories begin at 13:00 CDT Sunday, June 28, across northwest, west-central, and southwest Iowa. Depending on location, the advisories remain in effect until either 21:00 CDT Monday, June 29, or 21:00 CDT Tuesday, June 30, with forecast heat index values generally ranging from 39 to 41°C (103 to 105°F).
Much of Iowa is also under an Extreme Heat Watch from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening, June 30, while southwest Iowa is included in a separate watch for the Omaha metropolitan area, where heat index values may approach 42°C (108°F).
Nebraska and South Dakota
Heat Advisories will start going into effect at 13:00 CDT Sunday, June 28, across Nebraska. Advisories for eastern and southeastern Nebraska remain in effect until 21:00 CDT Tuesday, June 30, while Cedar and Knox counties in northeast Nebraska are under a shorter-duration advisory until 21:00 CDT Sunday.
In southeast South Dakota, most advisories remain in effect from 13:00 CDT Sunday until 21:00 CDT Monday, although Bon Homme, Hanson, Hutchinson, and McCook counties are under a one-day advisory ending at 21:00 CDT Sunday.
Heat index values are expected to reach 39 to 41°C (103 to 105°F). Douglas and Sarpy counties in Nebraska, together with adjacent counties in southwest Iowa, are also under an Extreme Heat Watch from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening, June 30, where heat index values may reach 42°C (108°F).
The National Weather Service warns that prolonged exposure to these conditions can significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly during the afternoon and early evening when apparent temperatures are highest. Several forecast areas are also expected to experience unusually warm overnight conditions that will limit overnight cooling and increase cumulative heat stress over successive days.
Residents across affected areas are urged to remain hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, seek air-conditioned environments whenever possible, and continue monitoring official forecasts for additional advisories, watches, or warnings.
References:
1 Extreme Heat Watch – NWS – June 27, 2026
2 Heat Advisory – NWS – June 27, 2026
Nebraska quarterback commit Trae Taylor has won the Elite 11 MVP after strong performances at the Elite 11 Finals last month and The Opening Finals this week in Beaverton, Oregon.
Taylor was named one of the Elite 11 following the Elite 11 Finals last month, earning an invitation to return for The Opening Finals this week to continue competing for the Elite 11 MVP.
Following two days of competition, Taylor has been named Elite 11 MVP joining a prestigious group. Over the last decade, the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, CJ Stroud, Caleb Williams, Cade Klubnik, Julian Sayin, Keelon Russell and Dia Bell are among the quarterbacks that have earned Elite 11 MVP honors.
Now officially the Elite 11 MVP, Taylor is well-positioned to climb in the next 2027 Rivals300 rankings update. He’s had a strong offseason overall, building off a junior season in which he threw for 3,571 yards and 38 touchdowns to just three interceptions, completing a stunning 81.7% of his pass attempts. He added another 633 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, leading Mundelein (Ill.) Carmel Catholic to an 8-3 record. He’s transferred down to Omaha (Neb.) Millard South for his senior season and is already impressing with the Patriots. Earlier this month, Taylor led Millard South to the NebPreps 7v7 State Championship over Omaha (Neb.) Westside.
Here’s what Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings, wrote about Taylor coming out of the Elite 11 Finals
Trae Taylor had an excellent performance at the Elite 11 Finals from start to finish, stringing together three very strong showings throughout the weekend. The Nebraska commit was the Rivals MVP of day one, flashing a big-time arm, showing the ability to drive the football to all levels of the field during drill work. He continued to show that plus arm talent during his pro day and was aggressive downfield, targeting high-level throws. He capped off the weekend with a seven-touchdown performance in the 7-on-7 period, making a litany of high-difficulty throws. He attacked the seam, was super aggressive hunting huge downfield completions. The ability to attack all levels with his arm strength, combined with a big-play mentality. Taylor was quick through his progressions and looked very comfortable in the 7-n-7 setting, which isn’t a huge surprise given his experience. The confidence and command was impressive. We also thought Taylor looked comfortable working under center. This is an exclamation on a strong offseason for Taylor, which has seen him make encouraging improvements to his overall game. We’re eager to see what he does as a senior this season at Millard South in Nebraska.
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – On this day 154 years ago, the University of Nebraska held its first commencement ceremony — without any graduates.
The university was founded three years before the ceremony.
In place of diplomas, the university presented an honorary doctorate to the Rev. Bishop Clarkson of Omaha.
It wasn’t until the following year that the first students graduated from the university.
By the end of the 1870s, graduation had become a week of celebrations.
MORE LOCAL HISTORY
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On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate its 250th birthday. Every day leading up to it, First Alert 6 will take a look at the people and events that shaped our area.
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