Fresh off securing its third straight national championship, Oklahoma softball suffered an unexpected impediment to its 2024 defense.
Star pitcher Jordy Bahl announced Monday that she's leaving the Sooners. The Nebraska native wants to play closer to home.
"My heart is full of gratitude and love for the girls, coaches, and people at the University of Oklahoma," Bahl wrote. "I am excited to return home and be Jordyn Bahl the softball player, but more importantly the person."
Bahl has proven nearly unhittable during her two seasons with the juggernaut, going 44-2 with a 1.00 ERA and 397 strikeouts in 288.2 innings. She accrued more shutouts (15) than home runs allowed (10).
On Wednesday, Bahl began the College World Series by tossing seven shutout innings in a 5-0 victory over Florida State. The next day, she cemented Oklahoma's threepeat with three perfect innings out of the bullpen. She was promptly named the NCAA tournament's most outstanding player.
Per Tulsa World's Eric Bailey, head coach Patt Gasso said Bahl informed the staff of her decision during an "emotional conversation" Friday.
"We are grateful for her two years with our program and for everything she accomplished," Gasso said. "She obviously was a huge part of our on-field success, but what I'll always appreciate most about Jordy is her approach and dedication to the game, as she's the ultimate competitor."
While Bahl didn't specify her next landing spot, her desire to play close to home could make the University of Nebraska a front-runner. Bahl declared that she's "excited to finish the softball journey right where it began."