“That’s been one of our mantras this whole year, that if you can’t prepare yourself, be prepared.” – Nebraska coach Rhonda Revelle
And, man, the Huskers were ready for All-American Ruby Meylan today.
Nebraska softball fans know the story. Meylan had a standout high school career at Omaha Skutt and then spent two years at the University of Washington before transferring to Oklahoma State in 2025. In four appearances against the Huskers he had given up only 3 runs (26 innings).
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On Friday, in Game 1 of the NCAA Lincoln Super Regional, the Huskers did more damage than that in 3 innings.
Starting at the bottom of the first, which started on Thursday evening and ended on Friday afternoon due to a storm that was ignored by ESPN, the Huskers started Friday with Hannah Coor for the first time. Hannah Camenzind then started things off with a single down the left field line. After Ava Kuszak grounded out, Jessie Farrell lined a 1-0 Meylan pitch and drove it deep, deep to left and the Huskers took a quick 3-0 lead.
Jordy Frahm was on the mound for Nebraska, so confidence grew. And with his 20-inning scoreless performance that would last until he gave up Karli Godwin’s solo shot in the top of the 6th inning, it was easy to understand why. He went 16 in 20 starts and earned his 20th win of the season scattering 5 hits while striking out 7. And, as is often the case, he stepped up to the plate again with a 2-for-4 showing.
The Huskers weren’t done with Meylan, though.
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In the second, they took the lead with two more hits, but were unable to bring any runners home. However, in the third, Hannah Camenzind walked, Kuszak doubled into the right field corner, then walked Farrell with a pitch and stroked it up the middle for her 4th and 5th RBI. Huskers down 5-0. Sammie Bland then drove a single over everyone’s head that went off the right field wall for a double.
And, just like that, Meylan’s afternoon was over. Two infield grounders after he walked scored Farrell and Bland, leaving him on the hook for those runs as well. His streak ended with 2 IP, 8 hits, 7 ER’s and his 23rd HR given up in ’26.
I asked Head Coach Kenny Gajewski if he was leaving more pitches over the plate or if the Huskers were getting at-bats in good situations. He said, “I think it’s probably a little bit of both,” but he added, “There were a lot of drops left at the top, a lot of balls coming up that looked like hairs were flat on the inside or outside, hard to separate on the side, but yeah, he wasn’t very good for him today, and they paid for him.”
The top three in the Huskers’ pecking order (Frahm, Coor, Camenzind) and Bland carried them to regionals last weekend, but spots 4 through 9 rebounded on Friday. After going 3-for-37 against South Dakota and Grand Canyon, they were 8-18 on the Okie State staff…and the Cowgirls used almost all of them. Five Huskers had two hits apiece and Farrell drove in 5 of the Huskers’ 8 runs on an evening to remember.
Gajewski confirmed that Meyland will be right back on Saturday for the Cowgirls. As for the Huskers, they likely bet on Alexis Jensen when Frahm is locked and loaded in the least bit of trouble. And maybe it goes in the 6th inning or not.
Game 2 is Saturday at 4pm CST and will be televised on ESPN2. The if-and-if game is still TBD, though it will have to be played on Sunday. It may be in the hands of ESPN’s TV fans if that happens, so prepare to treat yourself. As always, the game can be heard for free on the Huskers Radio Network.
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Fun fact: The Huskers gave All-American Karlyn Pickens an early exit when they beat Tennessee in the opener of last year’s Knoxville Super Regional before falling in 3 games. This will not happen in two consecutive seasons.
