RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Jordyn Bahl, or “Jordy” as she’s also known, has been in the news quite a bit over the last week or so as she helped lead the Oklahoma Sooners to a third straight Women’s College World Series before subsequently announced on Monday that she would be transferring to go back to her home state of Nebraska, primarily to be closer to her family.
You can read about her announcement of leaving OU by clicking HERE.
On October 6, 2020, Extra Inning Softball did a feature on Jordyn after leading up to her being announced as the 2021 Extra Elite 100’s No. 1 player. She would then be announced on Oct 12, 2020 as the top player in her class and we even captured her being told she’d be No. 1 by phone.
For this Throwback Thursday, we return to that Fall of ’20–about 2 1/2 years ago–to revisit this exciting time for the standout player back then for her Nebraska Thunder Gold and Beverly Bandits club teams as well as a tremendous contributor to her Papillion-LaVista (Nebraska) High varsity team’s success.
Here’s that original story with some other info thrown in…
Player Spotlight: 2021 Extra Elite 100 2021 #1 Jordyn Bahl… “Life is About Learning & Moving On”
Originally published Nov. 3, 2020
These last couple of weeks have been a roller-coaster of emotions for Jordyn Bahl, the senior pitcher from Nebraska who was announced last Friday as the #1 player in the 2021 Extra Elite 100.
Jordyn was coming off the high of leading her Papillion-La Vista High team to a remarkable accomplishment: a 36-0 season and a third straight Class A title courtesy of a three inning, 12-0 run-rule championship.
That was on Friday, October 16 and after the big win, sportswriter Steve Beideck of the Omaha World-Herald suggested that Jordyn was “the best high school player Nebraska has ever seen” and “some were left wondering if the sport in Nebraska should now be spelled softbahl.”
Less than two weeks later, on Thursday, October 29, 2020, Jordyn would get a call from Extra Inning Softball’s Brentt Eads letting her know that, for the second time in a row, she would be ranked as the top player in her talented class.
The happy accomplishment, however, was tempered by the sad news that one of Jordyn’s biggest fans, her great-grandmother Gladys Vermillion, had passed away earlier that day.
“Nothing made her happier than to watch sports,” her talented great-granddaughter recalled “and to come out to my games, sitting in the front row cheering me on. She would watch the Little League World Series and the NFL playoffs and know exactly what was going on.”
“She was a tremendous woman and as strong as they come,” added Dave Bahl, Jordyn’s father and grandson of Gladys. “Her love of God, country and family served as an example to our entire family over four generations. She had a genuine love of sports and enjoyed nothing more than to watch her grandchildren and great grandchildren compete. She will be missed by us all and will never be forgotten.”
With little time to reflect or mourn, Jordyn jumped on a plane to travel to Kansas City for the Top Gun Select Invitational in which the senior’s Beverly Bandits 18U Premier team would make it all the way to the championship game.
The Oklahoma commit was in the circle facing the other Bandits 18U team, the Bandits DeMarini – Moran team and, wouldn’t you know, Jordyn and her team would lose in the bottom of the 7th on a suicide squeeze.
Certainly, in the grand scheme of things, the loss wasn’t devastating as her team as already qualified for PGF Nationals and it was a fall event, not a summer nationals. But here is where we get insights into why more than 90 percent of the coaches–college and club–had Jordyn on their short list for the top player in the Class of 2021.
When asked if the defeat bothered her, Jordyn’s maturity and perspective shined through.
“You never like losing,” she started, “I gave up a two-run home run, but it’s nice when another team in our organization pushes us to make us better. It will be something that will fuel and motivate me.”
“As a pitcher I hate giving up the home run and I’m not going to say I wasn’t bummed, but I’m not going to sulk either. I will learn from it–like the home run ball: it was a drop ball outside that didn’t drop and I’ve learned that every pitched has to be moving. Simply, you’re not going to get away things like that so I’ll make sure next time I work to improve so the pitch will move.”
For the most part, her pitches have been moving and Jordyn has been improving. This year, the teenager from Papillion, a suburb of Omaha, captured her third high school title in her four years after she started as a freshman.
“We had 10 seniors and eight started,” she explained. “A lot of us have been there for all four years.”
The one year that her high school powerhouse didn’t win the title–and the Monarchs have 16 total championships in its storied softball history–was a painful one for Jordyn, but she credits that loss as having made her a better player–and person–in the end.
“In my sophomore year,” the pitcher/hitter All-American says, “we had been undefeated the whole year but ended up losing the state championship when we lost two in a row. It was a hard winter and I realized I just saw myself as a softball player and not much else. I learned that there was a time for me to be like, ‘This sucks,’ but that I have to be here for a bigger purpose and I then spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get way more out of life, to be more free and enjoy things.”
Jordyn says it was a progression in realizing where she fit in but a video sermon by Sadie Robertson talking about purpose really struck a chord.
“She was saying that many in our generation lack awareness of where to find meaning; she would ask, ‘Where are you looking for purpose? In social media? In your Creator? Why did He make you?’”
“It made a lot of sense and as I spent more time in the Bible I had more of a spiritual awakening.”
Today, honors and successes balance with defeats and heartache for Jordyn, who feels like she’s on the right path, on the field and off.
“Life is about learning and moving on, the talented student-athlete concludes. “We’re always working year-round to improve, working on the minor things that ultimately make big changes.”
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Here is more from Jordyn as we talked about the last year which has included her being named TWICE as the #1 player in the 2021 Extra Elite 100…
Since you were named the top player in the 2021 Extra Elite 100 announced in January, how have you improved up to today?
A big part of improving has been my using time during the COVID-19 shutdown to my advantage. I’ve had extra time to train and get better by running and lifting. Athletes could stay where they were in terms of not working out harder but I wanted to use my time wisely.
You’re in the Omaha, Nebraska area… how did the COVID-19 pandemic affect you this year?
When COVID started, we couldn’t hang out with friends so I did a lot with my three brothers, especially doing a lot outside as well as focusing on schoolwork. I learned that you can’t take anything for granted and took the time to work on being well-rounded. It was actually beneficial for me as I got to enjoy things I might not have otherwise like being outside, spending more time with my brothers, parents and dog. I got to do things I love more, like trap shooting, that I didn’t have as much time for in the past.
What drives you… it seems like your brothers have been key in your success, yes?
I’ve always had the mentality of getting out of bed and wanted to be the best I can be… to study the hardest, work the hardest and compete the hardest. I always have been competing with my three brothers and having them around and wanting to improve on even the smallest things so I could say, “I’m going to beat you, I’m a girl and you can’t stop me!”
You’re about to sign with Patty Gasso and the Oklahoma Sooner program. What is that like?
I’ve always been one to go with my gut and since Sept. 1, 2019 when coaches could call, everything has felt right about Oklahoma. My first visit there, I loved the family culture which is important as it’s seven hours from my family so I won’t have my family nearby. I love the tradition and success and how they aim to be super successful and I want to be pushed by my coaches to achieve that also.
You had committed to Nebraska at one point, which makes sense as it’s the home state university…
It’s a really great school with amazing facilities and I was 14 when I decided to commit. They were the first to show interest and it was a no-brainer at the time. After my sophomore year, I had a change of heart and wanted to open up my recruitment because I wasn’t the same person then. I decided to put my future in God’s hands, thinking “Your will, not mine.” It felt like it was the way to go then, to Oklahoma. Nothing bad at all with Nebraska, but it had been the only school I had visited and I felt I was to go somewhere else.”
What your family’s reaction to going further away as you all are obviously very close?
My family wants what’s best for me, we are close and we’ll make it work. They’ve been nothing but supportive.
Do you know what you want to major in or study in college?
Nursing, because I want to help people. You can go a lot of directions in nursing.
In what areas do you feel you’ve improved this year?
I believe I’m improved athletically and endurance-wise, which in turn gives me more mental confidence.
What do you want to work on in your game?
I want to be more consistent with my pitches, in hitting spots and spinning the ball.
What pitch do you throw when you need to get that third strike?
It depends… it can be my rise, drop or change and what’s working that day.
You had great success with the bat too… are you going to hit when you become a Sooner?
I’m going down with the mindset to help any way I can. If I can and they want me to I will.
Let’s look back to when you were first named #1 in the 2021 class in January 2020… what do you remember about it then?
I wouldn’t say at first I was expecting it because of how talented the (senior) class is. It’s a huge honor but I never wanted it to change my mindset and put pressure on me. I wanted to go out and play my game and not play for other people. I know I have a lot of eyes on me.
How did it compare getting it again last week?
I don’t try to let it change me, I didn’t know what to expect as there are a lot of great players but it’s certainly an honor.
Finally, what in life makes you happiest?
Hanging out with my brothers, parents and friends and being around people… it doesn’t matter what we’re doing, just that I’m around those I care about.
*****
2021 Extra Elite 100 Spotlight Profile: Jordyn Bahl… “I Have a Greater Purpose Than Just Softball”
Originally published Oct. 6, 2020
On Monday, we announced the dates for the upcoming FINAL 2021 Extra Elite 100 rankings and all that goes with it!
As we prepare for the final series of ratings for this senior class, we’ll look at some of those who have been featured in the past.
Jordyn Bahl, the outstanding pitcher headed to Oklahoma and ranked #1 overall in the last 2021 Extra Elite 100, continues to impress and is a strong candidate for another Top 10 finish.
Two weeks ago, Jordyn was the MaxPreps/NFCA High School Player of the Week (Sept. 14-20) after she led her Papillion-LaVista (Nebraska) High team to the title at the Monarch Invitational.
She went 5-0 with a 0.00 ERA and had 59 K’s and no walks in 27 innings pitched which included a pair of run-rule no-hitters (three and four innings) and she also lit up the field offensively batting .474 (9 for 19) with six home runs and 13 RBIs in six games.
This summer, Jordyn helped lead the Beverly Bandits 18U – Conroy club powerhouse to the championship of the Connect Sports tournament in Dalton, Georgia, played July 30-August 1.
She was 4-0 pitching in the tournament, with three starts and one win in relief, pitching 26 innings against numerous highly-rated batters, giving up five earned runs for a 1.37 ERA. Bahl gave up just 11 hits and struck out 41 batters while walking only three.
At the plate, her 7th inning two-run home run tied the game against the Fury Platinum 18U and the Bandits went on to win 4-3 in extra innings and Jordyn also earned the win. The Bandits defeated Georgia Firecrackers Premier-Cochran twice to win the championship and she was the winning pitcher in the first game, while Regan Krause (2020, Stanford signee) pitched a three-hitter in the final, a seven inning, 4-0 win.
We’ve followed Jordyn a lot over the last few years and in February published these 15 FUN FACTS ABOUT HER:
1. Jordyn has a dog and two cats who are “near and dear to her:” Sasha, a long-haired German Shepherd; Misha, a tabby cat and Noel, a tortie cat.
2. She loves listening to ‘90’s country music. Her favorite country artists are Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Toby Keith and Tracy Lawrence.
3. She enjoys spending time in the outdoors fishing, hunting and hiking. Says mom, Emily: “She enjoys doing these with her brothers, but picked it all up from her dad!”
4. She enjoys trap-shooting (spending time with her brothers).
5. Her favorite vacation spot is Panama City Beach, Florida. Adds her mom: “We go there once every few years with extended family. It’s a place one of her grandmothers has vacationed at since childhood, so Jordy’s dad also grew up vacationing here.”
6. She is very patriotic and her favorite holiday is the Fourth of July.
7. Her dream is to live on a rural acreage and own horses.
8. She used to be a dancer and took lessons for several years including ballet, tap and jazz… now she sticks to line dancing.
9. On two different occasions, she lost baby teeth while on the field during games. She had to call time and walk the tooth over to her coach! Mom thinks she was 12 or 13-years-old at the time (“she lost her teeth late. They weren’t knocked out, they just fell out. I think she was pitching both times.”).
10. Her favorite food is hamburger and fries.
11. She likes watching sunsets and taking pictures of them.
12. She won’t eat salad dressing; she eats her lettuce plain.
13. Her favorite gift was a personalized softball glove: Jordy Bahl #22.
14. For a career, her mother says “this changes a lot. Right now, she is thinking of majoring in Education to be a history teacher. She is also interested in coaching.”
15. If she has a daughter someday, she’d like to name her “Liberty.”
We also profiled in January and here’s a look at the article which got a ton of positive reviews for how well Jordyn presented herself…
*****
2021 Extra Elite 100 Profile: Jordyn Bahl
Originally published Jan. 29, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
Native Nebraskan Jordyn Bahl was already considered one of the top 2021 prospects in the nation heading into the PGF Nationals last summer.
But now she will climb to the upper tier of the 2021 Extra Elite 100 after leading Iowa Premier Gold to a fifth-place finish at the PGF 16U Premier Nationals and helping Papillion-La Vista High of Papillion, NE, to its second state championship in the past three years and to No. 1 in the nation in the Extra Elite Eighty Fall High School Rankings.
Bahl turned in a spectacular effort for the Monarchs during their national championship run, batting .581 with 22 homers, 41 runs scored and 59 RBIs and going 27-0 with a 0.15 ERA and 299 strikeouts in 139 innings.
The future Oklahoma Sooner hopes to turn the newly-formed Nebraska Thunder Gold, which features five of her Papillion-La Vista teammates, into a national power at 18U this summer.
As successful as she had been on the field, however, Bahl points out that softball is low on the list of priorities in life, which, ironically, has actually helped the junior between the lines.
“In the past year, I learned that God didn’t put me here to play softball,” she believes. “I have a greater purpose than that, as does everyone else.”
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