SEMIFINALS INDIANA – THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
- The Huskers and Indiana did not meet in 2026. Their highest-ranked common opponent was UCLA – the Huskers won two of three from the Bruins, while Indiana was swept. However, all three games were close and Indiana’s staff kept the Bruins in check. On the other hand, they were walloped 24-12 by Oregon in a one game non-con match-up. The Huskers split a pair with Washington, but the two played the Huskies on opposite ends of the schedule.
- Against other common conference opponents, Indiana lost one each to Minnesota and Iowa and lost a series to Michigan. The Huskers swept all three and finished 4-0 against the Wolverines.
- Speaking of Oregon, they were upset by Wisconsin yesterday and face UCLA in the other semi.
- Look for the Huskers to win in another close one. Indiana has shown they can hang, but a tight one will go the battle-tested squad.
HUSKER GAME INFO
Schedule: (All times CST)
May 8 – Indiana – 4:00pm CST
Location: Maryland Softball Stadium, College Park, MD
Surface: Dirt Infield, Bermuda Grass outfield
TV/Streaming: All games will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Radio: Huskers Radio Network. You can listen for free at Husker Audio – University of Nebraska – Official Athletics Website huskers.com – Nate Rohr is on the call for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Weather: Friday’s game should again be beautiful with partly cloudy skies and light, variable
winds of 5-10mph out of the WSW and temps in the high 60’s.
THE OPPONENT
Indiana (42-13, 17-7 Big Ten 4th)
The Indiana Hoosiers search for two things this weekend – their first big Ten Tournament title and their first 2026 victory against a currently ranked team. Whereas the Huskers chose the road of the toughest non-conference schedule in D1, the Hoosiers went in the opposite direction playing only two ranked teams out of conference and drawing UCLA in Big 10 play.
They went 0-5 in those games.
However, the ease of schedule has given them confidence as witnessed in their 9-2 dismantling of once-ranked Washington. However, Washington has now lost 9 of their last 11 games and may not be in the best headspace. Will their aggressive style affect the Huskers in the same way? The Hoosiers have stolen 128 bases and this season have a power dimension with 81 HR’s to go with their .353 team average. However, as stated, these stats come padded with weak non-con opponents and a bottom-heavy Big Ten schedule.
Friday should show if Indiana is ready for the big time.
HUSKERS LINEUPS (Best Guess)
P/1B #98 JORDY FRAHM
CF #23 HANNAH COOR
LF/DP/P #9 HANNAH CAMENZIND
SS #7 AVA KUSZAK
C #25 JESSE FARRELL
RF #14 KACIE HOFFMANN
P/DP #99 ALEXIS JENSEN/EMMERSON COPE
3B #29 SAMANTHA BLAND
2B #2 LAURA CAMENZIND
1B #3 BELLA BACON (When Jordy pitches)
LF #27 NATALIA HILL (defensive only)
G2 Starter: ALEXIS JENSEN
Coach Rhonda Revelle likely doesn’t mess with the lineup too much. Will Jensen hit today? It might be tough to put her back in for Cope who destroyed the ball in the Husker tourney opener.
Last year, Frahm started every postseason game. This year, Jensen gives them another option, although she had some shaky appearances at season’s end. I expect her to start today, but Revelle will have Frahm ready on a short hook.
BONUS CONTENT! Does everyone remember Indiana Coach Shonda Stanton? Well, why don’t we go back to last season when, after she had run out of challenges due to a couple of ill-advised ones, she found herself disagreeing with yet another call and…well…just see for yourself.
Naturally, the Big 10 found no reason for disciplinary action of any kind.
