No. 7 national seed Tennessee eliminated Nebraska softball from the NCAA Super Regionals with a 1-0 win Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn. The Lady Vols advance to the Women’s College World Series, where they’ll face four-time defending national champion Oklahoma in the first round Thursday.
The lone run of the game was scored with two out in the bottom of the first inning. Ella Dodge lofted a fly ball toward the wall in center field that hit the top of the wall, bounced up, and then back into the field of play. After video review, the ball was ruled to have hit off a railing in the center field bleachers for a home run to put Tennessee ahead, 1-0.
Karlyn Pickens (24-9) took it from there, allowing just two hits. Nebraska didn’t even a get a runner to second base until the fifth inning. The Cornhuskers loaded the bases that inning, but a strikeout by Lauren Camenzind ended the threat, and Pickens retired the next seven she faced. In total, Pickens walked one batter, hit another, allowed two hits and struck out 10.
Jordy Bahl (26-8) was tough in a losing effort. In six innings, Bahl allowed four hits and one earned run while striking out four.
The Huskers end their season at 43-15. Their .741 winning percentage was the best mark to end a season since 2006. NU advanced to the Super Regional round for the first time since 2014 and just the third time since the round was added in 2005.
Nebraska returns seven of nine offensive starters, losing only left fielder Abbie Squier and catcher Ava Bredwell. Big Ten Pitcher and Player of the Year Jordy Bahl will return for her senior year in 2026.