Nebraska softball has done it. The Huskers are Big Ten champions—outright and for the first time since sharing the title with Michigan back in 2014. Their dramatic 10-4 comeback victory over Penn State last Saturday sealed the deal, erasing a 4-1 deficit in the sixth inning and rendering the Oregon-UCLA series irrelevant. Now, the question on every fan's mind: can they make it a pair?
The Huskers are heading to College Park, Maryland—or possibly already in the air—as the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Their path to a conference double begins Thursday at 1:30 p.m. CST against the winner of Wednesday's matchup between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Michigan. A "How to Watch" guide will be posted each evening before game day to keep you dialed in.
A regular season and tournament sweep is no small feat, but it's been done before. Northwestern was the last to pull it off in 2023. Michigan, the team that dominated Big Ten softball from the tournament's inception in 1995 through 2021, accomplished the exacta seven times, most recently in 2019. Iowa (2003), Ohio State (2007), and Minnesota (2017) also added their names to that list. Now Nebraska aims to join them.
Let's break down the Huskers' road to a potential title.
Round 1: Michigan vs. Ohio State
Ohio State may hold the higher seed, but Michigan has faced a tougher schedule. The Wolverines won the season series, and their ace Gabby Ellis—though not the strikeout artist that OSU's Jenna Molk is—controls the game by limiting baserunners. That should be enough to get them past the Buckeyes. But when Michigan meets Nebraska, they'll need to dig deep into their pitching staff while trying to solve Jordy Frahm. That's a tall order. Prediction: Nebraska 6, Michigan 1.
Semi-Finals: Washington
The Huskies should have little trouble dispatching Minnesota. While Washington is seeded lower than Indiana, they are far more battle-tested. Yes, they stumbled late, going 1-8 against Oregon, UCLA, and Ohio State. But Indiana's non-conference slate was filled with unfamiliar names, and they feasted on the bottom of the Big Ten standings. Washington will likely counter with Sophie Ramuno, who has been throwing well again. The Huskers will need to bring their A-game, but momentum is on their side.
One thing is certain: Nebraska has the talent, the grit, and the swagger to complete the sweep. Whether you're cheering from the stands or sporting your favorite Huskers gear at home, this is a moment to savor.