Two-run shot by Ashley Prange (video) gives Alabama a 2-0 lead over UCLA in the top of the first... Single, double, and walk load the bases for UCLA in the bottom half... Frosh Jordan Woolery goes opposite field for grand-slam, putting Bruins on top 4-2... Prange with solo shot for her second homer of the game, but UCLA answers with one, making it 5-3 UCLA... No further scoring, as the Bruins win 5-3. UCLA's Megan Faraimo (complete game, 13 strikeouts) outduels Bama's Montana Fouts (4 2/3 innings, 9 strikeouts) in this battle of star pitchers.
The college softball world has thrown us a "Curve Bahl," if you will. Such is the unexpected news that Oklahoma ace Jordy Bahl has announced that she will transfer to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Bahl is from the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. Three thoughts jump out at me: Bahl was absolutely indispensable to the Sooners' 61-1 national championship season, coming up with numerous clutch strikeouts in tight tournament games against Clemson (super-regionals, Game 2 ) and Stanford ( WCWS semifinals ). OU benefited greatly this season via the transfer portal, bringing in Haley Lee from Texas A&M, Alex Storako from Michigan, and Cydney Sanders and Alynah Torres from Arizona State. Bahl's transfer is the first major one in the modern portal era (to my knowledge) in the other direction. Nebraska becomes an instant national championship contender, in my mind. Other players around the country may find it attractive to join Bahl in Lincoln but even if