Nebraska Softball Misses NCAA Tournament

Huskers go from preseason top 25 to outside of the "first four out"

Kaleb Henry | May 12, 2024

Nebraska Athletics

Nebraska softball's season is officially over.

The Huskers were not among the 64 teams announced in the field for the NCAA Softball Tournament. NU closes the year at 30-23.

With raised expectations from an offseason that included a strong returning junior class and the addition of transfer Jordy Bahl, Nebraska slotted in as No. 18 in the national preseason rankings. Some expectations also went so far as to predict Nebraska to host a regional, something done by the top 16 national seeds.

Instead, Bahl was injured in the season opener. Nebraska finished fourth in the Big Ten Conference standings and exited the league tournament with an extra-innings loss to Indiana in the semifinals. The Huskers were not among the "first four out" by the selection committee.

Four other Big Ten teams did make the field: Northwestern, Michigan, Indiana and Penn State. Go here for the compete bracket.

What's Next

With only two NCAA Tournament appearances over the past seven seasons, Nebraska must now turn to an offseason that includes decisions for seniors regarding their extra COVID season, Bahl's rehabilitation, and the addition of high school signees and potential transfers.

Published May 12, 2024|Modified May 12, 2024

KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.