When it comes to making a deep postseason run, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have all the pieces—but two names stand out above the rest: Jordy Frahm and Alexis Jensen. Together, they form the pitching duo that could carry Nebraska all the way to the Super Regional round.

The Huskers are one of the most balanced teams in the country. Offensively, they're a force to be reckoned with, boasting a .337 team batting average and 89 home runs—good for a top-15 national ranking. While they may not match the jaw-dropping power of UCLA or Oklahoma (182 and 174 homers, respectively), Nebraska knows how to manufacture runs. They play small ball, swipe bags, and keep defenses guessing. Speedsters like Hannah Coor, Sammie Bland, Kennadi Williams, Katelyn Caneda, and Nessa McMillen provide the kind of spark that can turn a single into a rally.

But in softball, elite pitching is what separates good teams from great ones. Think of it like a top-tier goalie in hockey—one dominant arm can keep a team in any game, no matter how potent the opposing offense. That's the kind of impact Frahm brings to the circle. Just look back at last year's Knoxville Super Regional, where Frahm and Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens traded blow for blow in a three-game series. The deciding game? A nail-biting 1-0 pitcher's duel between two high-powered offenses.

Frahm's importance to Nebraska can't be overstated. Without her—and without a reliable second starter—the Huskers posted records of 36-22 in 2023 and 30-23 in 2024 (Frahm missed nearly all of that season due to injury). They were eliminated in the Stillwater Regional in '23 and missed the NCAA Tournament entirely in '24. Then came 2025, with Frahm healthy and leading the way. Nebraska jumped to 43-15, earned a national seed around No. 18, and advanced to a Super Regional showdown with Tennessee.

So why pick both Frahm and Jensen as the key to 2026? Because in 2025, Nebraska's Achilles heel was depth in the circle. Against quality opponents—and sometimes even lesser ones—the lack of a dependable second starter put extra pressure on Frahm. Enter Alexis Jensen. The freshman has already shown the poise and stuff to complement Frahm, giving the Huskers a legitimate one-two punch. With Jensen in the mix, Nebraska no longer has to rely on a single arm to carry the load. That depth is exactly what teams need to survive the grind of the NCAA tournament.

Frahm and Jensen aren't just a package deal—they're the reason Nebraska's Super Regional dreams are within reach.