She took the softball world by storm as a true freshman in 2022. In a season with a bit of uncertainty in the circle, [autotag]Jordy Bahl[/autotag] became the ace of the staff until a shoulder injury limited her late in the season.
2023 has been a bit of a different story for the Sooners’ sophomore. She’s pitched well but hasn’t been the intensely dominant force that’s stalked the diamond like a lioness hunting her prey. But perhaps things are beginning to come together for the sophomore star.
Bahl pitched a perfect game on Friday against Southeastern Louisiana on Friday. She was hit around in Oklahoma’s Saturday matchup with Mississippi State before pitching a scoreless inning in relief against South Dakota State on Monday.
But it was a relief role on Tuesday evening that might have been her most impressive performance of the season.
[autotag]Alex Storako[/autotag] battled for four innings against a tough Florida State team, but allowed four earned runs. It was the first outing in which she’d allowed a run dating back more than a month when she allowed one earned run in 5.2 innings pitched to Stanford on February. 10. She’d gone 30.2 innings pitched without allowing a run.
After allowing a three-run home run in the top of the fourth, the Sooners’ offense responded, immediately taking the lead back. Then Jordy Bahl put on a show.
Bahl allowed a leadoff single to Josie Muffley, then proceeded to retire nine straight, including a stretch where she struck out six straight Seminoles.
6️⃣. Straight. 𝐊's.@jordybahl | T7 | OU 5, FSU 4 pic.twitter.com/uUv1yzsKcC
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) March 15, 2023
“It’s been awhile since he’s really come in and closed,” Sooners coach Patty Gasso said. “She just hammered it down.”
In a challenging mid-week showdown of top 10 teams, this felt more like a postseason game between the Sooners and the Seminoles, teams that met in the 2021 Women’s College World Series.
But Jordy Bahl rose to the occasion against a lineup that was performing despite a raucous home environment favoring the Sooners. It was a clutch performance, reminding us why she’s considered one of the best pitchers in college softball.